THE wife of a new father killed in a crash by a man who fell asleep at the wheel has said his actions “destroyed” her life as she knew it.

Stephen Sheppard, 41, of Redhill Drive, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after killing Warren Wright, 34, from London, in a crash on the A352 in Wool on July 5, 2020.

He was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment.

A sentencing hearing held at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, February 7, heard how Sheppard suffered from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and in the months leading up to the incident had not been using the machine to help him sleep.

Judge Jonathan Fuller QC described Sheppard’s decision not to use the machine as “disturbing”.

Warren Wright was travelling back from Wool in the rear of the car with his five-month-old daughter, while Rebecca was driving.

Rebecca Wright told the court she prayed for the defendant and no longer lets her parents wave her goodbye when she drives away.

She said: “We talked about what a wonderful weekend we had and how good it was to come down [to Wool].

“I still won’t let my parents wave me goodbye because it reminds me of that last moment of happiness.

“I have nightmares and flashbacks and an enormous battle with anxiety.

“I pack the bed with pillows trying to recall the feeling of Warren holding me. I question why he had been taken and not me.

“Warren was everything to me. My best friend, my partner, I felt so lucky to meet someone like him.

“One of my biggest fears was I would lose him. I used to make him promise he would not leave me on my own.

“I have lost my present, our shared past and future.”

Addressing the defendant, Rebecca Wright said: “I can’t imagine what the last few months have been like [for Sheppard]. I have prayed for him, but I can’t understand the decision he made.

“The decisions and actions of Sheppard have destroyed my life as I knew it. Warren was an amazing, special person with an amazing future ahead of him.

“The only person I want an apology from is Sheppard. I need to know you’re sorry. I am sorry this awful tragedy will define both our lives.”

Warren Wright’s mother Brenda said her heart was broken.

She said: “His plan was to take his wife and daughter to discover as many parts of the world as possible.

“He was just starting his journey with his new-born and was tragically taken away in an instant.

“I was given the best hugs. I remember him hugging me so tightly and didn’t want to let go.

“The evening I was informed he passed away was the biggest shock of my life. It felt as though it must have been a bad dream.

“It’s still hard to believe that Warren is no longer with us. My heart is broken. It’s nothing short of cruel he has been taken from me, his wife, his daughter, family and friends.

“Never in a million years did I think I would be the parent to receive that knock on the door.”