Drink-driver Ross Neville jailed for killing friend Matthew Newton

Police received a report of a one-vehicle collision on the A69 trans-Pennine dual carriageway, close to Throckley, shortly after 11.30pm on Thursday, November 28, 2024,

A heavy goods vehicle driver dialled 999 after coming across a grey Ford Raptor which had collided with a barrier on the westbound carriageway.

Emergency services were swiftly deployed and the sole passenger in the car, 28-year-old Matthew Newton, from Carlisle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Mr Newton’s then-friend and the car driver, Ross Neville, had fled the area before police arrived.

Ross Neville, right, jailed at Newcastle Crown Court for almost 12 years for causing the death of friend Matthew Newton, by dangerous driving (Image: Northumbria Police)

An investigation was immediately launched by Northumbria Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, resulting in Neville’s arrest the following day. 

Neville, now 35, of Canonbie, in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, was later charged with offences including causing death by dangerous driving and causing death whilst driving without insurance. 

Despite escaping the scene, investigators were able to prove he was over the drink drive limit at the time of the collision through CCTV and financial inquiries.

They discovered he had been drinking pints of beer, shots and spirits in a city centre bar with Mr Newton for five hours before setting off to drive them home.

Footage captured him driving dangerously, narrowly missing street furniture and overtaking vehicles at speed, leaving Newcastle, with his vehicle reaching 108mph just before the collision itself.

Pick-up truck driver Ross Neville fled from scene, on A69, west of Newcastle, following fatal collision (Image: Northumbria Police)

Neville pleaded guilty to all offences at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, January 23, and today (Wednesday, March 25) he was sentenced to a total term of imprisonment of 11 years and 11 months by Judge Edward Bindloss.

He was also banned from driving for seven years upon his release from prison.

During today’s hearing, a statement was read out on behalf of Mr Newton’s mother, Anna, who spoke of her family’s pain at losing their “firstborn” child of three.

She said: “The 28th November 2024 will always be the date that broke my heart and changed my life forever.

“My life as I knew it ended that day to be replaced with the mere existence I live with now.

Matthew Newton was pronounced dead at the scene of collision on the A69 trans-Pennine road, west of Newcastle (Image: Northumbria Police)

“I never thought I would ever be in a position to know what losing a child felt like.”

She said: “We have been robbed of Matthew’s future in the most traumatic, horrific way, with so many things stolen from us … seeing what he would have become, seeing him get married, having children of his own and watching him proudly as he fulfilled his dreams.

 “lnstead, we now have to live with this void in our lives and also watch his brother, sister and grandparents heartbroken trying to adjust to a life without him.

“Life is hard now, a daily struggle filled with a constant overwhelming sadness, my heart aches every waking minute and the feeling of loss is painfully unbearable.”

She added: “Matthew was the most beautiful person, had the absolute best of friends, lived at home with us, would do anything for anyone, built up a successful business and was simply loved by everyone who knew him.

Tributes were paid to deceased Matthew Newton in victim statement read out in court on behalf of his mother Anna (Image: Northumbria Police)

“He had the brightest smile and lit up every room he walked into.

 “At 28-years-old he should have had his whole future ahead of him, now all I’m left with is an empty chair.”

Speaking after the outcome of the case, Sergeant Greg Huntley of Northumbria Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a shocking incident, with Neville driving so dangerously and recklessly that he killed his friend Matthew.

“Worse still, he has then went on to tell the HGV driver who came across the crash that his friend was fine, before shamelessly fleeing the scene.

“It is clear to me that Neville was not a good friend, and he only had himself in mind that evening as he left Matthew with unsurvivable injuries in his car.

“Despite the challenges faced in the early stages of the investigation, we were able to trawl CCTV and financial data to piece together Neville’s actions.

“From this, we know that he consumed alcohol to excess in Newcastle city centre before getting back in his pick-up truck to drive them home.

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“He thought by running away he could hide how much he had drank, but thanks to tireless work by officers we proved this in other ways.”

 Sgt Huntley added: “As ever, our thoughts firmly remain with all of Matthew’s loved ones as they continue to navigate a life without him.

“While no result will take away their anguish, I hope they feel a sense of comfort knowing Neville will spend a lengthy spell in prison.”