‘Slurring’ Audi driver from Margate with cocaine in system left former lecturer with life-changing injuries after Ramsgate crash
A drug driver sped past a lorry so fast that it "rocked from side to side" just seconds before ploughing into a former university lecturer, causing him life-changing injuries. Clayton Lorton was at the wheel of an Audi Q7 when he undertook the HGV, cut back in front and then pulled out onto the Sevenscore roundabout near Ramsgate without stopping to give way.
His highly dangerous manoeuvre resulted in him ploughing with significant force into the passenger side of a Renault van already on the roundabout and being driven by Robert Croudace. Canterbury Crown Court heard Mr Croudace's vehicle careered through a chevron road sign and became airborne before landing in the opposite direction while the Audi smashed into a lamppost.
The victim's condition in the immediate aftermath was so serious that he experienced a seizure and began vomiting as he sat slumped over the wheel, resulting in a paramedic having to climb through a window as the doors would not open to ensure he did not choke. Lorton, however, was said by police at the scene to smell heavily of drink, with glazed eyes and slurred speech. He was also unsteady on his feet.
Although he was arrested on suspicion of drink-drinking and gave a positive test for drugs, no breath kit was available to test for alcohol. It was only once at hospital - and after what was described as "exhaustive and deliberate delay tactics" - that he agreed to give a blood sample for analysis.
This showed that he was twice the legal driving limit for the breakdown product of cocaine, and that there was a second chemical by-product indicating "combined" use of the Class A drug and alcohol. It was also noted by police that while at the hospital that he commented he had "f***ed it".
But at the 29-year-old's sentencing hearing on Thursday for causing serious injury by dangerous driving, no evidence of any alcohol reading was provided. Furthermore, it was revealed by the judge that the Crown Prosecution Service had decided not to prosecute Lorton for offences of drink-driving, drug-driving or failing to provide a specimen.
It was for that reason, the court heard, that the soon-to-be dad-of-three could only be punished for his dangerous driving and its consequences, not for any potential intoxication or impairment. Prosecutor Peter Forbes told the court that it was at about 6.50am on August 13, 2022, that the collision occurred.
Lorton was heading northbound on the A256 Richborough Way when he undertook the lorry and pulled onto the roundabout at the junction with the A299. "The lorry driver was travelling at 50mph yet he noted his 7.5-tonne vehicle physically rocked from side to side when the defendant went past," explained Mr Forbes.
"He then saw that car proceed onto the roundabout when the victim, Mr Croudace, was already on it, having come from the A299 to the east. "There was a significant impact as the defendant's vehicle drove into the passenger side of the van.
"Due to the force of the impact, the van was pushed sideways off the road, up onto the roundabout verge, through the black and white chevron sign and was airborne, landing on the roundabout facing the opposite direction. "The Audi continued off the roundabout and into a lamppost."
Mr Forbes said that although Lorton's precise speed could not be determined, it had been "grossly excessive and inappropriate" as he drove onto the roundabout. It was also argued that his driving would have been impaired by the use of alcohol and/or drugs, having given a reading of 104mcg of benzoylecgonine when the legal limit is 50mcg.
Mr Croudace had to be airlifted to King's College Hospital in London where he was put into a medically-induced coma, having suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as two spinal fractures and a "misaligned" rib.
When he woke, he had developed a stutter, post-traumatic amnesia, and sight problems. He spent 18 days in hospital and almost three years later has "significant" ongoing impairment, the court was told.
In victim impact statements running to 22 pages, Mr Croudace detailed the physical and psychological trauma he suffered on a daily basis, including anxiety, PTSD, fatigue, sleep disruption, as well as mobility, speech and vision issues. It was also said that his "brain is slower than it was before" and, having once been used to talking to large audiences, he now had difficulty attending social gatherings.
Hobbies were "severely restricted" and it was only recently that he had returned to work. Lorton, of Fort Crescent, Margate, gave a 'no comment' interview following his arrest and was not charged for 18 months.
He initially pleaded not guilty at a crown court hearing in April last year before admitting the offence a few months later. The court heard the gas engineer's previous convictions include driving while disqualified, without insurance and failing to provide a specimen in 2020.
But Oliver Kirk, defending, said although those offences were relevant, none related to his "manner of driving".
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He also argued that a suspended sentence could be imposed, highlighting the defendant's family responsibilities - including the pending birth of his third child in September - as well as his work prospects, an assessment of being low risk of re-offending and his remorse. "He is somebody who has clearly got a difficult background but has now very much put his affairs in order and is working hard to support his family and partner," said Mr Kirk.
However, Judge Simon Taylor KC said that although the decision not to prosecute him for drink and drug-driving offences meant it would be "wrong" to sentence on the basis his driving ability had been impaired, Lorton could not be spared a spell behind bars. "Undertaking is a dangerous manoeuvre but to do so and make a 7.5-tonne lorry rock from side to side establishes you were travelling at a speed inappropriate for the road conditions, whether above the speed limit or not," he told Lorton.
"You then cut back in and entered the roundabout without stopping. That caused a collision where your victim suffered extremely serious injuries and mental health issues." Having weighed up all the mitigating factors, including the impact of a custodial sentence on his partner and their young children, the judge concluded: "I have to focus on the harm you caused to your victim."
On learning he was being jailed for two years and two months, Lorton removed his tie from around his neck and, as he was led from the dock to the cells, shouted "F***ing hell!"
Judge Taylor also imposed a 37-month driving ban.