Family of ‘adored’ man killed by drugged-up driver ‘have extreme …
A grieving Essex mum said she is filled with “extreme pain” every day after a drugged-up, speeding driver was jailed for causing the death of her son. Cheryl Marshall’s son Jake Blease was killed in a car crash in Cressing in September 2021, and she is now serving “a life sentence” for the loss.
Kane Gornall, 27, was jailed on Thursday (April 20) for causing death by dangerous driving. On September 25 that year, Gornall’s blue Ford Fiesta left the B1018 Witham Road and crashed into a tree shortly after midnight. Gornall, of Flemming Way, Witham, had been driving when the crash occurred. Police found he had been driving at more than 100 miles an hour before the crash occurred.
Sadly, 25-year-old passenger Jake Blease died at the scene. Gornall was jailed last week for four years and eight months. Following the sentencing, Ms Marshall said: “When I heard the sentence, I was disappointed as I don’t think it reflected the gravity of what had happened and Gornall’s blatant disregard for the laws of the road and safety of his passengers.
“I appreciate that no sentence would ever bring Jake back, but his life was worth so much more than the sentence handed out. Gornall may serve two years and four months but we, as Jake’s family and friends, are facing a life sentence.
“Jake had his whole life in front of him until it was cruelly snatched away from him on that night. I will never get to see him get married, have children of his own or grow old. Every day, I, and all his family and his friends, still feel the extreme pain and enormous hole that losing Jake has left us with and unfortunately, that will never go away.”
PC Alan Marks, of Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Kane Gornall was driving his car with his two passengers that night. The trio had met up a very short time before leaving Witham and were on their way in the car to collect Kane’s girlfriend from Braintree.
Jake Blease (Image: Essex Police)
“Sadly, they never got there. The car left the road and collided with a tree. From getting into the car to Jakes’ untimely death was under three minutes. In that short time two families’ lives changed forever. When officers arrived at the scene, Kane Gornall was tested for drink and drugs and was over the limit for both at the roadside.
“He had also been speeding. Our investigation showed the car had been travelling in excess of 100mph in the run up to the collision, twice the speed limit for the road.
“The combination of excessive speed and impaired reactions meant that Kane Gornall lost control of the car. Something that was completely avoidable. The judge has seen fit to jail him for 4 years and 8 months. I know it will never bring Jake back to his family, but I hope today brings some closure for them.”
In 2021, Jake’s family paid tribute to him saying: “Jake loved life and lived it to the fullest, he had a cheeky smile and a laugh no-one could ever forget. He was adored by his two little sisters and loved by everyone.
“He was a great son, stepson, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. He touched so many people’s lives and was blessed to have such a wide range of friends, none of whom will ever forget his kindness or his infectious personality.”
References
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