A mother faces a potential jail sentence after she was found guilty of killing her partner in a horror car crash while driving home from a wedding.
Alicia Fairclough, 34, had been behind the wheel of Thomas Benson’s Audi A8 when it smashed into a tree in Bolton.
During the trial at Manchester Crown Court, it was revealed that Fairclough had been driving at twice the speed limit of 30mph when the accident occurred on Lever Park Avenue in Horwich.
The prosecution argued that Fairclough was exceeding the speed limit by a significant margin and was therefore at fault for the crash, which also involved her eight-year-old child who was a passenger in the car.
Giving evidence, the child claimed that Mr Benson had ‘grabbed’ and ‘pulled’ at the wheel of the car.
Fairclough, who initially denied responsibility for the collision during a police interrogation, explained that she had made the decision to drive back home from Rivington Barn in Bolton on the night of Saturday, November 6, 2021. She claimed that her partner, Mr. Benson, was intoxicated and behaving erratically, prompting her to take the wheel.
The 34-year-old was also seriously injured in the crash and claimed she didn’t know how much alcohol she had drank at the wedding.
Jurors returned their unanimous guilty verdict after a week-long trial. Fairclough, of Fairways, Horwich, was also found guilty of causing death while uninsured. There were tears in the public gallery after the verdict was announced.
Thomas Benson (pictured) was killed after the Audi smashed into a tree in Bolton on November 6 2021
Benson’s partner Alicia Fairclough had been travelling at double the 30mph speed limit at the time of crash on Lever Park Avenue in Horwich, Manchester Crown Court heard
Trial judge Patrick Field KC told her: ‘As I am sure you have been advised, by reason of that conviction I will have at the forefront of my mind a custodial sentence.
‘But it is not a sentence that I will pass lightly, or without having as much information as I need about you and your family.’
Fairclough was granted bail ahead of sentencing in January.
Mr Benson was well known in Horwich as the owner of a number of bars in the town including a Harry Potter-themed bar, Crux Emporium, as well as the White Tiger bar.
Following her son’s death, his mother Lydia said: ‘I would like to thank everyone who has taken time to share their love, support, and memories of Tom at this difficult time. It is evident that he was truly respected, a friend to many; supportive and dependable.
‘Tom had so much to live for but, in his short life, lived so much. We feel blessed to have had him in our lives and will ensure that his two children grow up knowing what a kind, considerate and loving daddy he was.’
Friend and former colleague Heather Killas described Mr Benson as being ‘one of a kind’.
She added: ‘He had an eye for business and was always thinking ahead to his next business plan even if that meant building a stage or moving the bar hours before opening.
‘Working at White Tiger became like a second family not to just the staff but many of the regulars, and Tom was everyone’s big brother. He always has a listening ear and some sarcastic comment to pull you out of a bad mood, or a green death cocktail to drink away your sorrows.
Manchester Crown Court where Fairclough was found guilty of of causing the death of her partner and of causing death while uninsured
‘He was proud of where he came from and always found a way to give back to the local community in both Horwich and Bolton, whether that was through giving local bands a new platform or setting up a bar at Horwich Carnival.
‘Family was massively important to him, his sisters and mum were always around supporting him along the way, whilst he roped his dad in the do all the handy work.
‘I know above all he cherished being a dad. He will be very missed by everyone that knew him, they really broke the mould when they made Tom.’
Cian Gleeson also paid tribute to his friend, saying: ‘Tom was a great guy and was loved by everyone in the community.’
