4 years ago
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Kirk Butcher was described by his family as a "fun-loving husband" who adored his three daughters
A van driver who drove the wrong way down a motorway slip road, killing a father of three in a head-on crash, has been jailed.
Thomas Hughes, 24, was trying to take his own life when he drove on to the M4 at Newport, hitting Kirk Butcher's car on 5 April.
Mr Butcher, 45, was killed instantly.
Hughes, from Cwmbran, pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to seven years.
The court heard how Hughes had been released from police custody, and had driven towards the M4 after being told by his flatmate he was not welcome back.
It was told he was trying to take his own life when he drove the wrong way down the slip road.
But the van he was driving crashed into Mr Butcher's car, who was on his way home from a 12-hour shift at a supermarket depot where he had started working during the coronavirus pandemic.
'Childhood sweethearts'
Hughes left the scene of the crash, and another driver called 999.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Butcher's widow Janet told the court the couple had been "childhood sweethearts, soulmates who dreamed of getting old together".
She said "nothing in our lives will be the same" following her husband's death.
Image copyright Gwent Police Image caption Gwent Police said Hughes' actions were a "senseless and selfish act"Sentencing Hughes, Judge Richard Twomlow said he "gave Mr Butcher no chance to avoid you".
"This was an unbelievably dangerous piece of driving with no thought for anyone but yourself," he said.
"The consequences for others were quite terrible."
After the hearing, Mr Butcher's family called for a change in the law so that a car was recognised as a "deadly weapon".
His stepsister, Sarah Higgins, said: "We're devastated. He's left three children behind and a beautiful wife.
"He was the busiest, nicest guy you could ever hope to meet and he's gone. Nothing's going to change that."
PC Darren Sullivan, of Gwent Police, said Hughes' actions were a "senseless and selfish act, which took the life of an innocent man"."This tragedy was completely avoidable and Hughes will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life, although that will provide little comfort to the Butcher family," he said."Too many people die on our roads every year in senseless and often avoidable circumstances.
"I can only hope that the sentence passed today will act as a deterrent to anyone intent on driving in such a dangerous and reckless manner."Hughes was also banned from driving for eight and a half years.
