Drug-drive mum jailed for 12 months for hitting cyclist
A SINGLE mother was jailed for 12 months yesterday after mowing down a cyclist while over six times the drug-drive limit.
Lettings agency worker Emily Brown, 32, was driving her two young girls home after a family meal out when she failed to spot Stuart Crowther on his bike.
Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard Brown was high on cocaine and not wearing her glasses. An eye test showed she was unable to read a number plate from 13 yards away when her VW Golf hit Mr Crowther, 58, at 25mph.
He was sent hurtling over her windscreen by the impact and suffered serious injuries including a fractured skull.
Brown later failed a roadside drug test for cocaine but claimed she took the Class-A drug 48 hours earlier, as it was the anniversary of the deaths of her premature-born twins.
Jailing Brown, who admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug driving, Judge Bernadette Baxter said: “I accept you did not appreciate that the drugs would still be in your system.
“But it’s obvious there is a risk as regards your ability to drive sometime after consuming.
“There was significant risk to life by your driving. He’s [Mr Crowther] suffered life-changing injuries.’’
The incident occurred at 6.50pm on October 11 last year after Brown took her children out for a meal in Oldham.
Prosecutor Simon Blakebrough said: “Mr Crowther was cycling home from work when he was struck from behind. He was thrown onto the windscreen of the VW Golf and subsequently onto the road. The victim was wearing reflective clothing.’’ In a roadside swab Brown, of FIREFIGHTERS rescued a not-so-bright spark who found himself stranded 45ft up after apparently shinning up a lamppost.
Worried onlookers dialled 999 after seeing the man, wearing just boxer shorts, perched on top of the post, dangling his bare legs and feet in the air.
He then stunned crowds near Handsworth Park, Birmingham, Royton, near Oldham, tested positive for cocaine.
She had 332 milligrams of the cocaine metaboliser Benzoylecgonine (BZE) in 100 millilitres of blood – the legal limit is 50mg.
Mr Crowther spent three weeks in hospital, where he suffered a number of seizures and severe traumatic brain injury. He is still undergoing treatment.
Rachel Shenton, defending Brown, said: “She feels utmost regret, genuine remorse and is relieved he is making some progress.”
Brown was also banned from driving for four and a half years. by crawling along the crossbeam to the top of the post itself.
He hampered firefighters’ efforts by kicking out at their ladder, but was eventually brought down and treated in hospital for a hand injury.
It is not clear how he managed to climb the post.
West Midlands Fire Service said the man was “under the influence of an illegal high”.