21-year-old driver sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving

An image of Warwrick Crown Court.

James David Beames has been jailed after causing the death of John Edward Nutt through dangerous driving. 

The 21-year-old driver has been sentenced at Warwick Crown Court to 3 years and 6 weeks in prison, disqualified from driving for 78 months and ordered to pay £228 victim surcharge.

The crash happened on the B4086, Stratford Road, near Charlecote. It was said Beames was using his phone, and he claimed he fell asleep at the wheel. The collision happened around 6 am on March 7th, 2024. As Beames failed to navigate the left bend, he crossed the path of Mr Nutt’s car, and he died after the head-on impact.

PC Craig Pearson said, “Evidence showed that Beames had used his mobile phone several times while driving, although we could not prove he was on it during the collision. He also claimed to have fallen asleep at the wheel, but this also could not have been proven.

“What is clear is that the actions of the driver cost the life of an innocent man.

“Beames will now spend over 3 years in prison. Our message to drivers is simple – put your phone on safe mode or keep it out of reach. No call or message is worth a life”