An inquest into the death of a woman who died after accepting a life from drink driver who had drunk at least 10 pints during Christmas Eve celebrations has been called off. 

Claire Williamson was 41 when she died in December 2021, after Luke Barnard, 29, crashed his car during the early hours of the morning on the A148 near Fakenham. 

Ms Williamson had been a front seat passenger when the Vauxhall Insignia she was travelling in went spinning through trees on the side of the road near the Abbey Lane junction at Coxford. 

She was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Barnard, of Hall Close, Fakenham, was sentenced to prison for three years for causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink. He was also disqualified from driving for four years. 

As a result of the criminal proceedings, area coroner Yvonne Blake permanently suspended the inquest into Ms Williamson’s death during a short hearing on earlier this month. 

Fakenham & Wells Times: Pink carnations left at the scene of a fatal crash on the A148 near Fakenham 1

Following her death, Ms Williamson's family, including her mother and daughters, said: “She didn't deserve to die, life is so empty without her. All the joy has gone from our lives.” 

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