Driver, 68, who altered dashcam footage from fatal crash and said he was going 65mph rather than 88mph is jailed for 20 months
- Martin Young was jailed for 20 months for causing death by careless driving
- The 68-year-old also pleaded guilty to a charge of perverting the cause of justice
- He sent police dashcam footage which was altered to not show the speedometer
A man who altered dashcam footage to try and hide the speed of his car, has been jailed for causing the death of an 84-year-old after a crash.
Martin Young was driving his blue Audi A3 along the A1307 in Cambridgeshire in December 2019, when he crashed into a Volkswagen Polo at around 86 to 88mph.
The court was told that after the crash Young was heard saying ‘elderly drivers should not be driving’.
William Hall died in May 2020 after being kept in hospital with a neck fracture and Covid.
It was initially thought Mr Hall was at fault for the crash, Young sent police dashcam footage of the crash and in a witness statement claimed he was going between 60 and 65mph.
In the video the speedometer was covered by a piece of paper – which was a mobile recording of the original footage.
However officers were later able to uncover the original footage by getting a coroner’s order, which showed he was travelling at 86 to 88mph.
Martin Young (pictured), 63, has been jailed for 20 months after he crashed into a car being driven by William Hall on the A1307 in Cambridgeshire at around 90mph in December 2019
The original dashcam footage (pictured) clearly shows Young driving close to 90mph
It was initially believed that Mr Hall was responsible for the crash, until police obtained the original dashcam footage
Prosecutor John Farmer told the court that when 84-year-old Mr Hall was pulling out of the Dean Road junction at Linton, it ‘would have appeared to him safe to cross the road’.
Young, 68, of Haverhill, admitted causing death by careless driving and perverting the course of justice.
He was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court on today.
Young was also disqualified from driving for five years and 10 months and ordered to take an extended re-test, as well as pay costs of £2,116 and a victim surcharge.
In a statement, Mr Hall’s family said: ‘Bill was a kind, loving and gentle man but also strong and determined.
‘He was a proud husband, dad, grandad, great grandad and father-in-law who loved spending time with his family around him.
‘He was always interested and keen to hear what we were all doing.’
Detective constable Rochelle Eves, who investigated the incident, said: ‘Young was travelling at excess speed on the A1307, a road he knew to be notorious for fatal collisions.
‘His attempt to avoid responsibility ultimately failed and it shows that if you lie to the police you will be found out.
‘This is another case which shows the importance of careful driving and the dangers of speeding.
‘I want to thank the family of Mr Hall for their dignity and patience while we have investigated this sad and complex case.’
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