Families of Branton crash victims pay tribute
The families of two men killed in a crash in Doncaster have spoken of their loss - after the the man driving the car was convicted of causing their deaths by dangerous driving.
The families of two men killed in a crash in Doncaster have spoken of their loss, after the the man driving the car was convicted of causing their deaths by dangerous driving.
Liam Aldred, 26, and Dean McIntyre, 27, were killed when the black Renault Megane they were travelling in crashed into a garden wall on Poppyfields Way, Branton, in August 2015 and burst into flames.
Both families have paid tribute to the men who died after James Maughan, 22, was found guilty of death by dangerous driving following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
Liam's family said: “We miss Liam every single day. His death has had a huge impact on everyone, and the local community have been so very supportive, which has meant the world to us.
“Part of us died alongside him and it’s had a devastating impact on all of us; the pain will never go away. We have been served a life sentence and we’ll never get to see Liam get married and have a family, experiences that were so cruelly taken away from him.
“The TV images of the car burning are etched into our memories and we have had nightmares since it happened. We wanted justice for us, but most of all we wanted justice for Liam, who died for nothing.
“All we ever wanted for Liam is for him to be happy and for him to one day raise a family of his own. He leaves behind a mother and father, brothers, sister, nephew and nieces; each and every one of us will have to learn to deal with this.
“The trial has been traumatic and we cannot forgive Maughan for leaving Liam and Dean in the car to perish. We are lost. No custodial sentence matters; what matters is that we’ve lost Liam and he will never be returned to us.”
Dean's family said: “Dean was a loveable rogue; he was very well known and popular within the community; we can’t get used to not seeing him walking through the streets with his dogs.
“Dean was so dearly loved; we were all looking forward to the day he would get married and have a family of his own. This will never happen now and we feel like we’ve got nothing left. We have been left devastated as a family and we’re still struggling to come to terms with Dean’s death.
“The local community have been fantastic; people have stopped us just to hug us and tell us they’re thinking of us. That has meant so much to us and we are so grateful for their support at such a devastating time.
“Both Dean and Liam had their whole lives ahead of them and we are distraught that they will never get the chance to live full and happy lives.
“Rest in peace Dean and Liam; hopefully they can now both lay back and take it easy. Love you both.”
Maughan is due to be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court later this week. He was found guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
-RA