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James Ward Jailed for 13 Years Over Christmas Day Killing of Kirk Marsden

A retrial produced a manslaughter verdict after CCTV evidence undermined his claim of an accidental swerve.

Overview

  • Judge Graham Knowles sentenced Ward on March 6 at Preston Crown Court and ordered he serve two-thirds of the term before parole consideration.
  • Ward was disqualified from driving for 11 years and 11 months, with an extended retest required before he can drive again.
  • A November jury convicted Ward of manslaughter and causing death by driving while uninsured after an earlier trial cleared him and two relatives of murder and left his manslaughter count undecided.
  • CCTV captured the Toyota Land Cruiser turning toward Marsden outside The Gate Bar and Grill on December 25, 2024; he died at Royal Preston Hospital the next day.
  • Lancashire Police denounced the violence as egregious, and Marsden’s family gave statements describing profound and lasting loss.