Reckless driver, 33, who filmed himself inhaling laughing gas at 90mph before three of his friends died in horror crash has jail term cut
A reckless driver who filmed himself inhaling laughing gas at 90mph before three of his friends died in a horror crash has had his jail term cut on appeal.
Shane Loughlin, 33, was told he had a ‘total disregard for the law’ as he swerved between lanes on the motorway holding a phone in one hand and a balloon in the other.
The same car was later involved in a horror crash off the A48 in St Mellon’s Cardiff, but the wreckage was not found for almost 48 hours.
Loughlin, who filmed himself inhaling laughing gas at 90mph before the crash, survived the accident but was trapped next to the bodies of three dead friend and one other survivor.
Eve Smith, 21, was killed with Darcy Ross, 21, and driver Rafel Jeanne, 24, while bank worker Sophie Russon, 20, survived with Loughlin in the wreckage – found nearly two days later by police in woods.
Shane Loughlin (pictured), 33, was told he had a ‘total disregard for the law’ as he swerved between lanes on the motorway holding a phone in one hand and a balloon in the other
Shane Loughlin filmed himself inhaling laughing gas at 90mph before three of his friends died in a horror crash
Eve Smith, 21, was one the three people who died in the crash on March 6, 2023
Rafel Jeanne (left), 24, and Darcy Ross (right), 21, were killed in the crash in Cardiff
Loughlin was prosecuted for dangerous driving after police investigating the collision found footage he had uploaded on his mobile phone.
A judge jailed him for one year and five months telling him it was ‘luck and not judgement’ that no one was killed by his own dangerous driving.
But Loughlin appealed the sentence handed to him in September last year – and won the right to have his jail term cut by four months.
It means he could now be released in the coming days, having spent time on remand before his case was heard.
Prosecutor Jason Howells told the September hearing: ‘A white Volkswagen Tiguan was located by police on the morning of March 6 having crashed into a wooded area off the A48 off St Mellons.
‘It was later established that the crash had occurred at around 2am of March 4th.
‘The occupants of the vehicle, some of whom who had been reported missing were found with the vehicle and sadly three of those had passed away, Rafel Jeanne, Darcy Ross and Eve Smith.
‘They were the driver, front seat passenger and rear seat passenger.
‘The other two rear seat passengers, Shane Loughlin and Sophie Russon survived the crash.’
Mr Howells said that while Loughlin was being treated in hospital police investigating the collision found party balloon, nitrous oxide and Loughlin’s iPhone in the vehicle.
Cardiff Crown Court heard a sixth passenger, Joel Lia, had been dropped off just minutes before the fatal crash.
Mr Howells said: ‘Mr Lia’s account was that everyone was doing balloons – that is inhaling nitrous oxide.
‘He refers to all of them partying at Shane Loughlin’s caravan in Porthcawl, consuming alcohol and consuming balloons and nitrous oxide.’
Shane Loughlin (pictured here after a court appearance in Cardiff) was stopped by police on Aberporth Road in Llandaff North, Cardiff on Saturday at 4:20am
Sophie Russon, 20, was wounded in the crash in March near Cardiff but has survived
The scene in the St Mellons area of Cardiff as police investigated the crash in March last year
Investigators found four incriminating videos on Loughlin’s phone of him filming himself as he drove between 80-90mph as he swerved between lanes and the footage was played to the court.
The footage showed Loughin taking his hands off the wheel as he holds his phone in one hand and balloons in his mouth with warning lights on in his car.
Loughlin was arrested and said he could not remember driving the car before the crash but accepted it was him in the videos.
He told police he had not done balloons previously but the drug gives a ‘giggly buzz’.
Mr Howells said there was no forensic evidence to show Loughlin was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time he was driving.
Loughlin, who has 23 previous convictions, admitted driving while disqualified and dangerous driving over his manoeuvres just four hours before the fatal crash at 2am on Saturday March 4.
The court heard he was also in breach of a community order for a domestic violence assault on his former girlfriend.
Andrew Taylor, defending, said Loughlin only survived the later crash because of the cold weather and had been left with reduced heart function due to his injuries.
‘He was one of the fortunate ones who was left for over 48 hours in very cold conditions having suffered facial fracture, numerous leg fractures a rupture to the aorta and a fracture to his elbow.’
Mr Taylor said: ‘The mental scars are likely to be with Shane Loughlin for forever and a day.’
Loughlin, of Rumney, Cardiff, was jailed for one year and five months by judge Recorder of Cardiff Tracey Lloyd Clarke who told him he showed a ‘total disregard for the law.’
She said: ‘You know full well the consequences that can arise from a road traffic collision. That night it was luck and not judgement that meant you did not injure or kill anyone yourself.’
She told him his crime was made worse by filming the bad driving ‘perhaps to show others by social media.’
Shane Loughlin, from Rumney, Cardiff was charged with drink driving and driving while disqualified
Loughlin was banned from driving for two years eight months and two weeks and must take an extended test before regaining his licence.
He was later sentenced to a six month concurrent prison spell at Cardiff Magistrates Court for another driving offence when police recognised him as a banned driver.
The missing group were reported to Gwent police on Saturday evening of March 4 last year and then it was raised with the neighbouring South Wales police the next day. But it took 46 hours before they were found.
The five had been to the Muffler social club in Maesglas, Newport, and travelled 40 miles onto the seaside spot of Trecco Bay in Porthcawl. They were last reported seen back in Cardiff shortly after 2am on Saturday.
The Independent Office of Police Conduct is investigating seven Gwent Police officers over their actions involving the missing persons reports, interactions with families and subsequent searches.
IOPC director David Ford said: ‘Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families and friends of the young people who tragically lost their lives, those who were left seriously injured, and everyone affected by this incident.’
References
- ^ Miriam Kuepper (www.dailymail.co.uk)