Drug driver, 19, jailed for crash which left pregnant woman needing emergency caesarian

Sean Philip Lythe, 19, who lived close to the scene of the crash at Knockin Heath, near Oswestry, was three-and-a-half times over the drug drive limit after taking both cannabis and cocaine when the crash happened.

His car hit that being driven by Michael Roberts who was taking his fiancée, Ginny McGrath to hospital. She had to have an emergency Caesarian section to deliver their daughter, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.

Judge Anthony Lowe said it was remarkable that no one had been killed in the crash in which both vehicles were crushed beyond recognition. One of Lythe's passengers was still suffering from the affects of the brain damage he suffered, the court was told.

Lythe, of Mayfields, Kinnerley, Oswestry, admitted causing serious injury while driving dangerously and driving under the influence of drugs.

He was sentenced to 28 months in a Young Offenders Institute and disqualified for five years from when he left custody. Judge Lowe said he would serve half the sentence before release on licence.

Speaking after sentence, Mr Roberts said: "It is a relief that the judge understood the need for a custodial sentence. It is also re-assuring to know he will not be driving for five years post custody. "

Broken ankles

Peter Arnold, prosecuting said the crash happened in August 2019 at a junction on the B4396 at Knockin Heath between Shrewsbury and Oswestry, at about 11.15pm.

Lythe's Fiesta emerged from a side road and hit a VW Golf being driven by Mr Roberts.

Mr Roberts and his fiancee both suffered broken ankles and Miss McGrath also had stomach pains which she described as like red hot lava.

"An emergency C-section was performed and she was delivered a healthy daughter," Mr Arnold said.

He said one of the passengers in Lythe's car suffered neck and brain injuries and spent two months in intensive care followed by rehabilitation. He was still affected by his injuries. Another spent two weeks in hospital with fractures to his neck and pelvis while the defendant also broke two vertebrae.

The court was told that police investigations showed that seven minutes before the crash Lythe had been driving on the A5 at 99mph.

When questioned he said he had no recollection of the crash.

Paul Smith, for Lythe, said his client was very young and since the crash had sought to deal with his drug problem.

"He is extremely remorseful and says not a day or night goes by when he does not wish that the crash hadn't happened."

In sentencing, Judge Lowe said: "You may be remorseful now but the crash did not stop you going out eight weeks later and driving under the influenced of drugs again, for which you have since been sentenced. You may not be a bad person but you did a very bad thing."