Stourport Driver Jailed for 14 Years After Fatal Drug-Driving Crash

Worcester, Worcestershire – A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for causing the death of a four-week-old baby while driving under the influence of amphetamines. Craig Nunn, of Sandy Lane, Stourport, was jailed at Worcester Crown Court on Friday after admitting to causing the death by dangerous driving of Harley Wilkinson and seriously injuring the infant’s father, Jake Wilkinson, in a collision last October.

The court heard that Nunn was driving his Ford Focus at an estimated 90mph on a 70mph dual carriageway before entering a 40mph zone. He went through a red light at “unconscionable” speed and collided with a Suzuki Vitara driven by Harley’s mother, Imogen Bradley, who was turning onto the A451 near Stourport.

Prosecutor Cathlyn Orchard stated that Mr. Wilkinson was holding baby Harley on his lap in the back seat at the time of the crash. The impact of Nunn’s vehicle caused the Suzuki to spin violently, ejecting Harley from the car. The baby tragically died at the scene due to a severe traumatic brain injury. Mr. Wilkinson sustained a fractured cervical spine, a severed artery, and a blood clot.

Ms. Bradley, in a moving victim impact statement, described her “unbearable” loss, saying her “world has been ripped apart.”

Judge Martin Jackson highlighted Nunn’s extensive history of dangerous driving, which included 21 convictions for 51 offences, noting a previous conviction for dangerous driving in 2010. He stated that Nunn’s long-term amphetamine use, which he claimed was for self-medication of ADHD, was a “major contributory factor” in the collision, significantly impairing his driving ability.

Experts note that amphetamine use can lead to impaired concentration, vision problems, increased risk-taking behavior, and a false sense of driving ability.

Following the crash, Nunn initially attempted to blame brake failure, but vehicle inspections found no faults.Shockingly, a knife, an imitation pistol, and an axe were discovered in Nunn’s car.

ADVERTISEMENT

Adam Western, defending Nunn, conveyed his client’s “unequivocal acceptance of his wrongdoing” and his remorse for the devastating consequences of his actions.

In addition to the 14-year jail sentence for causing death by dangerous driving, Nunn received concurrent sentences for causing serious injury, possessing the weapons, and drug driving. He was also disqualified from driving for 10 years upon his release and will be required to undertake an extended retest before being allowed to drive again.

While a pathologist could not definitively say whether Harley would have survived if properly restrained in a car seat, child safety experts emphasize the critical importance of using appropriate car seats for infants and children and ensuring they are correctly fitted and used for every journey. They recommend that infants and toddlers remain in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible, until they reach the manufacturer’s height or weight limits.