Driver who caused fatal collision near Cadwell Park jailed

Charlie Ledbury drove straight into the path of an oncoming vehicle as he overtook a transit van and trailer on the A153 near to Cadwell Park.

Margaret Patrick, who was a passenger in the other car, suffered fatal injuries and her daughter Deborah Sukeforth, who was driving, suffered serious injuries, which resulted in her spending two months in hospital.

Ledbury, 21, of James Street, Grimsby, admitted causing the death of Margaret Patrick by dangerous driving as a result of the incident on 10 April 2019. He also admits causing serious injury to Deborah Sukeforth by dangerous driving.

Today he was jailed for 27 months.

He was also banned from driving for three years and one month and ordered to pass an extended re-test before he can drive again.

Judge Simon Hirst, passing sentence, told him “This piece of driving was dangerous in the extreme.

“You overtook, crossing double white lines approaching the blind summit of a hill. You had no idea what was there. Your only motivation must have been impatience and a desire to make up time.”

Nick Worsley, in mitigation, said that Ledbury himself suffered some injury as a result of the collision.

Tests carried out following the collision revealed he had a brain cyst, which is potentially life threatening and had not previously been discovered.

He said references described Ledbury as “a pleasant young man” and added “Other than this terrible incident he is someone anyone would be proud of.”

“He demonstrated immediate remorse and has been devastated by what happened. It is a tragic case.”

Mr Worsley urged that any jail sentence imposed on Ledbury should be suspended.

At an earlier hearing Nick Bleaney, prosecuting, said Ledbury collided head-on with a car which was being driven south by Deborah Sukeforth with her mother Margaret Patrick in the front passenger seat.

The court heard a number of witnesses, including a semi-retired GP who stopped at the scene, attempted CPR on Mrs Patrick, but she died after suffering serious chest injuries, multiple fractures and a laceration to the heart.

Deborah Sukeforth also required two months in hospital after suffering six broken ribs, a fractured sternum and two broken ankles.

Mr Bleaney told the court a JCB teleporter, which was travelling north at just eight mph in front of the transit van, had turned off the A153 shortly before the collision.

“The view this defendant had heading north, with a transit van towing a trailer, was obscured,” Mr Bleaney said.

“Deborah Sukeforth decided to try to steer round the oncoming car on to the verge, it seems at the last moment so did the defendant, and in essence there was a head-on collision.

“It was a catastrophic error of judgement.”

Ledbury remained at the scene to offer help and admitted his responsibility during police interview.

Mr Bleaney told the court Mrs Patrick’s son and daughter-in-law had written to the judge expressing their view that it would be a waste of money to jail Ledbury because of his remorse and character.