Heartbroken parents of aspiring Leeds doctor killed by 'maniac' driver say their 'souls have been ripped out'
The devastated parents of Ashton Kitchen-White, who was killed in a high-speed hit-and-run by a “maniac” driver has spoken of their heartbreak.
Regan Kemp was jailed for more than 15 years at Leeds Crown Court this afternoon for causing the death of the 19-year-old through dangerous driving.
Despite a backseat passenger clearly capturing Kemp behind the wheel on camera phone when he struck Mr Kitchen-White in Middleton at nearly three times the speed limit, Kemp denied it was him driving the powerful Ford Focus ST that fateful night in May.
But the jury during his four-day trial were quick to return a unanimous guilty verdict.
Statements written by Mr Kitchen’s family were read out to the court by the prosecutor, Paul Mitchell.
In an emotional note written by Mr Kitchen-White’s mum, Hayley White, she said: “I can’t describe the devastation of the loss of my sweet boy.
“My life is over. My heart and soul died with him and nothing will ever be the same again. I think about him all day, every day.
“I still say ‘good morning’ and ‘good night sweetheart’ when I walk past his bedroom.
“I can’t breathe. I would give anything to take his place.”
In a statement by his dad, Andrew Kitchen, he said: “A big part of me died with Ashton. As his dad I was meant to protect him, and I could not do that. It will continue to haunt me until the day I die.
“He was my first born and my first true love.
“My soul has been ripped out. I feel empty. I’m living in a nightmare and functioning like a robot because I have nothing left inside of me.”
The court heard that such were the injuries caused by Kemp’s reckless driving that half of Mr Kitchen-White’s face had to be covered when his mother was forced into attending the morgue to identify him.
Ashton had signed up for a medical degree which he was due to start with high hopes of becoming a doctor.
He was due to take his driving test and go on his first holiday with friends.
Kemp had driven the Ford Focus ST, which belonged to a friend, to Leeds from Scotland on on the afternoon of May 16. Two friends were driving in convoy in a Mini Cooper.
They were travelling to Middleton to complete a possible swap deal, exchanging the Focus for a VW Golf GTD.
When they arrived at around 10pm, Kemp offered to take the potential recipient on a test drive.
Kemp then put his foot down reaching high speeds. He failed to see Mr Kitchen-White crossing Ring Road Beeston and slammed into him at more than 80mph. The speed limit was just 30mph.
Kemp then left the scene and quickly abandoned the Focus, got out and ran back to the waiting Mini Cooper.He and his friends then drove back to Scotland.
Kemp then made his way back to his home on Lafrowda Close, Penzance, Cornwall. The 26-year-old handed himself into police days later after a wanted appeal was issued.
He continued to deny wrongdoing and tried to claim one of his friends was driving, despite the overwhelming evidence.
The witness who took the camera footage from the backseat of the Focus told the court that Kemp had been driving “like a maniac” that night.
Kemp was jailed for 15 years and six months. He was banned from driving for more than 17 years.