Mum was six times over drug-driving limit

A single mum from Oldham who was warned by a judge to “go home and tell her children she might be jailed” has been sent to prison for causing injury by dangerous driving and drug-driving.

Thirty-two-year old Emma Brown, from Royton, was found to be six times over the drug-driving limit when tested by police at the roadside following the collision in Oldham back in October, 2017, which left the cyclist she hit with a fractured skull.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard how the Lettings Agency worker was high on cocaine and not wearing her glasses when she hit 58-year old Stuart Crowther from behind as she drove her two children home school during the evening rush hour.

The court heard how Mr Crowther was wearing reflective clothing at the time of the incident but no safety helmet, he was thrown over the bonnet of Brown’s car and was left with serious injuries including a fractured skull.

He spent weeks in hospital as a result of the incident.

Brown claimed she had been taking cocaine 48 hours prior to the crash as it was the sixth anniversary of the deaths of her premature born twins and said she didn’t think it would still be in her system.

However, tests suggested that she had actually taken the drug as little as 12 hours earlier.

She claimed the crash only happened due to her been distracted by one of her daughters attempting to turn on the car radio.

Brown wept as she was jailed for 12 months with Judge Bernadette Baxter telling her: “I accept you did not appreciate that the drugs would still be in your system but it’s obvious to those using class A drugs recreationally that there is a risk as regards your ability to drive sometime after consuming.

''You have expressed genuine remorse, you are a valued member of staff at work and you suffer with depression, and have been self medicating with cannabis and cocaine following the death of your twin babies.

"I have also been told your daughter has been having problems at school.

''But you need to face your responsibilities as a mother.

"I am fully aware you have suffered a bereavement but you are responsible for you children and they are not responsible for your actions.

"There was significant risk to life by your own driving. He suffered life-changing injuries.''

Brown’s lawyer, Miss Rachel Shenton, said: “She feels utmost regret for what has happened - the first thing she asked me today is 'how is he?

''She has genuine remorse and is relieved he appears to be making some progress.

"She was only just above the level for careless driving as she was not driving too fast or over the limit in terms of alcohol - it was also not actual cocaine her system but the metaboliser and this was what put her over the limit.

''The results suggest she consumed cocaine 12-24 hours prior to the incident but the defendant says she took it on the Monday evening.

"On that day she went out for a meal and deliberately did not consume any alcohol because she was driving with young daughters in the car.

''She genuinely believed that she was safe and she would never have driven, not just for the safety of her children but for the safety of others, if she had believed so. She simply would not do it.

"She says her windscreen wipers were on full so it was raining at the time.

"She accepts that she was not wearing her glasses and was distracted by her daughter in the car.

''She called the emergency services herself and waited with him.

"Although there were reflective properties in his jacket his shirt and shorts the complainant was wearing were dark and he was not wearing a helmet.

''She really bitterly regrets this and not just for herself but for Mr Crowther. She has two daughters, and neither of them know about this case. She has been unable to tell them.

"She told me that she simply won't be able to tell them that Mummy is not coming home. The impact on her children will be enormous."

In addition to being jailed for 12 months, Brown has also been banned from driving for four-and-a-half years.