A LEIGH woman who crashed her car killing her passenger while drunk and speeding, wept today when she was jailed for three years.

Ashley Brown, aged 22, of Douglas Road, Leigh pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

Leigh man Andrew McIntosh, also 22, suffered catastrophic fatal injuries when Brown lost control on a curve and her Ford Ka collided with a concrete bollard in Westleigh Lane, Leigh at 6am on October 5 last year.

Heart broken members of Andrew McIntosh’s large family were in the crowded courtroom as a judge told Brown that there had to be an immediate prison sentence.

Judge Alan Conrad, QC said that she had drunk a “considerable” amount of alcohol.

He added: “By taking the decision to drive in the state you were in you deprived yourself of the opportunity to control your vehicle properly and thereby put others at risk.

“You lost control and a collision resulted which caused the death of your passenger and friend.

“He brought joy to those around him and was loved by all those who knew him and had a lot to live for.”

Brown was twice over the drink driving limit.

She was banned from driving for 27 months and will have to sit an extended driving test before getting back behind the wheel.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Brown had been giving the victim, described by the prosecution as a friend of a friend, a lift home after an evening out with others in Leigh when the tragedy occurred.

Ken Grant, prosecuting, said that an accident re-construction showed she had been travelling at between 44 and 54 mph at the time of the crash on the road, which has a 30 mph speed limit and warning ‘slow’ signs.

Mr McIntosh left behind nine siblings.

His sister Kirsty McIntosh said her “big brother always looked after her”.

She also spoke of the family’s continuing heartache and said their devastated mother was now a different person.

She said she personally felt guilty for having loaned him £10 and that the tragedy “will affect us for the rest of our lives.

“We want justice to be served. His is not here to fight his corner and we are all going to fight it for him.”

Colin Buckle, defending, said Brown will live with the shadow of the accident forever. “It is something she will wake up to every morning and will never forget.”

“It had been an error of judgement which had catastrophic repercussions.”

Brown, who wiped away tears throughout the hearing, could be heard crying loudly as she was led to the cells.

Police Constable Paul Hailwood said: “This is a tragic case where a young man with his whole life ahead of him is no longer with his loving family and friends.

“It is a tragic reminder of the very real dangers of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle whilst you are under the influence of alcohol and a very true reminder, as we approach the festive season, that drink driving does wreck lives.”