Coked-up driver who caused crashes is slammed by judge for "cynically exploiting" own child to avoid jail
“It’s nothing short of a cynical manipulation of that vulnerable child in order to put pressure on the sentencing judge”
A coked-up driver who caused a double collision, leaving a man with “catastrophic” injuries, has been criticised by a Sheffield judge for getting his young child to write a letter to the court.
Lewis Brough, aged 34, was high on a cocktail of alcohol, cocaine and ketamine when he attempted a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre on a bend on Dinnington Road, Rotherham, placing him on the wrong side of the carriageway, prosecutor Ian West told Sheffield Crown Court.
Brough ploughed the Ford Ranger vehicle he was travelling in into the back of a Mercedes containing an elderly couple before causing a head-on collision with the driver of an oncoming BMW car.
The driver of the BMW was left with a series of injuries, described by Judge Sarah Wright as “catastrophic,” including a fractured collar bone and spinal fractures.
The elderly couple suffered whiplash, along with anxiety stemming from the collision, Mr West said.
Sheffield Crown Court heard how in the wake of the collision, Brough, who was banned from driving and on bail for additional driving offences at the time, exited his vehicle from the back seat, and claimed someone else had been driving.
Judge Wright told him: “You offered no assistance to those injured as a result of your dangerous driving. You failed to identify the driver you said was responsible, as did your partner and father who connived to help you avoid responsibility."
She suggested Brough’s attempts to avoid responsibility for his actions continued through a letter submitted to the court by his young child.
Judge Wright told Brough: “How anyone could think that letter was appropriate - I’m at a complete loss to understand.
“The damage that will have been inflicted on that child in having to write that letter.
“It’s nothing short of a cynical manipulation of that vulnerable child in order to put pressure on the sentencing judge.”
Brough pleaded guilty to charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and driving whilst disqualified at an earlier hearing.
Jailing Brough for three-and-a-half years, Judge Wright said she was aware Brough had three young children whom he supports, but added: “It’s a great pity you did not put their interests first when you decided to drive illegally when intoxicated on drink and drugs and cause catastrophic injuries.”
Judge Wright also noted that Brough has an “appalling record for driving offences,” with several entries for dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.
Defending, William Shelley acknowledged it had taken Brough, of Roundhouse Crescent, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, some time to come to terms with his offending, and to take responsibility for it.
Mr Shelley said Brough has taken steps to try and better himself and is committed to being the best father he can be.
He asked Judge Wright to consider passing a suspended sentence.
Judge Wright said the seriousness of Brough’s offending, combined with his “disregard for court orders” and extensive record for driving matters, meant that custody was the only option.
She also banned Brough from driving for four years upon his release from prison.
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