Family of Timothy Burgess pay tribute as killer sentenced

Timothy Burgess died age 48 when the car he was travelling in was struck head-on by a Ford Focus being driven at speed by Northwich resident Joshua Eldred.

At Chester Crown Court on Friday (October 25), Eldred was sentenced to 12 years, of which he will serve at least eight behind bars, for causing death by dangerous driving.

The public gallery was filled with Mr Burgess’ friends and family, with several of them reading victim personal statements during the sentencing.

Speaking in court, his daughter said: “Losing not only my dad but my best friend has been the most distressing time of my life.

“The pain will stick with me forever.

“Nothing will ever be the same without my dad by my side and the thought tears my heart.

“I will never experience my dad walking me down the aisle at my wedding. He won’t DJ at my 18th like he had promised. I won’t be able to introduce my children to their grandad.

“My dad showed me what love actually is and I feel so proud to call him my dad.

“One thing my dad always told me is that life is cruel and now I understand.

“I honestly don’t know how I’m going to continue without him.”

Eldred was found to have alcohol and cocaine in his system (Image: Cheshire Police)

Mr Burgess’ father, 73-year-old Philip Burgess, spoke of how his son had been due to take over the family fish and chip shop, 4 Seasons in Frodsham.

“My pain, along with all my family’s pain, is immense,” he said.

“Mr Eldred has wrecked our lives.”

Alongside working at the chip shop for 20 years, Mr Burgess was a talented DJ and regularly hosted a night called Spin in Frodsham.

His sister, Linzi Stewart, said: “You were happiest when playing for us, your friends and family.

“I cannot comprehend that your amazing talent has been snuffed out. Gone like that. What an utter and tragic waste.

“House music was our unbreakable bond and it will never sound the same to me again.”

She added: “When I received the call, I could not believe it. I screamed in pain and disbelief.

“I am dreading Christmas. It is going to be a day full of pain and sorrow as it is a reminder you are no longer with us.

“Each and every one of us is struggling to come to terms with losing you in this way. Our lives will never be the same.

“In life I loved you so much. In death I love you more.

“Until we meet again my beautiful, sweet, loving brother. You are forever etched in my heart and in my soul.”

Mr Burgess’ other sister, Lisa Mollitor, added: “Tim’s funeral was the worst day of my life. Seeing him lying in his coffin was horrendous knowing he isn’t going to wake up again.

“My life has come to a halt. I feel like a zombie.

“My heart has been shattered into a million pieces and cannot be fixed.”

The court heard how 31-year-old Eldred had been late to work on July 18 this year.

Driving around 20mph over the speed limit, he attempted to overtake a van on the A533 in Little Leigh when he collided head-on into a Suzuki being driven by Wendy Wall, with Mr Burgess in the passenger seat.

It was later discovered that Eldred made several phone calls around the time of the crash and had alcohol, cocaine and BZE (the main metabolite of cocaine) in his system.

This all happened while he was released on bail, having crashed into a parked car 10 days earlier, again with alcohol and BZE in his system.

Mr Burgess was pronounced dead at the scene while Miss Wall suffered serious injuries, including multiple fractures, internal bleeding and a stroke caused by damage to the blood vessels in her neck.

Her daughter, Sharna Wall, had been on the phone to Mr Burgess when the crash occurred.

She said: “For my mother the crash was life altering in ways we never could have anticipated.

“It has been heart-breaking to see someone so strong and vibrant transformed.

“The traumatic moment her partner died will forever be etched into my mind. I often think about the shared moments and life they would have had.

“We are navigating a world that is forever changed and sometimes it feels we are just going through the motions.”

Frances Willmott, prosecuting, read a statement on Miss Wall's behalf.

She said: "A driver with no regard for others took away the man I loved.

"Tim and I had just fallen in love with so many plans for the future and dreams we were going to build.

"I now live a life which feels like a prison sentence."

Eldred has been banned from driving for 10 years upon his release.

Speaking after the sentence, Inspector Steve Griffiths, of the Cheshire Police Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This collision occurred due to the extremely poor and dangerous driving of Joshua Eldred over a prolonged period of time. His driving can only be described as atrocious and pointless.

“Driving is a privilege, not a right, and it comes with great responsibility to act within the rules laid down when you pass your test.

“Eldred’s actions have devastated the lives of all those involved, and the tragic death of Timothy Burgess shows the catastrophic consequences that will happen when these rules are ignored.

“I hope today’s sentencing provides some closure to the family and friends of Timothy, who have suffered the most severe and horrific loss."