South Shields man who caused the deaths of his brother and nephew warned of ‘significant’ jail sentence

Ben Webb, 12, and his dad Peter Webb, 40, were in a Skoda Octavia that came off the carriageway on the John Reid Road, South Shields, South Tyneside, on August 30 and both tragically died at the scene.

At Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday, January 15, Michael Webb, 35, of Park Avenue, South Shields, pleaded guilty to causing both of their deaths by dangerous driving, which he had previously denied.

During an earlier hearing he had admitted causing the deaths by careless driving while over the limit for cocaine and of being over the limit for benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine.

Judge Tim Gittins said Webb will be sentenced on March 12 and allowed his bail to continue in the meantime.

But the judge warned: "You appreciate a significant custodial sentence is likely to follow."

Judge Gittins advised Webb to make "plans and preparation" for going to prison.

Shortly after the tragedy, the family released a statement which read: "Our world has been completely torn apart. We have no words to describe how devastating this has been.

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"We will however continue to stick together as one while we navigate a situation we never believed we would be in.

"Peter was a kind wonderful human who would do anything for his family.

"Ben was the most incredible ray of sunshine with an unbelievable sense of humour.

"They are together forever. Please look after our boy, until we meet again."