Stephen Barton, a 35-year-old man from Accrington, was sentenced to a community order and a driving ban after admitting to drug driving following a single-vehicle collision in Oswaldtwistle. The incident occurred on Union Road, where Barton’s Citroen Berlingo collided with a metal fence and stopped when hitting a lamp post.
According to the prosecution, a member of the public called the police at 10:40pm on the night of the incident to report the collision. The witness told police that she had found Barton in his vehicle, which had collided with the fence and stopped when hitting the lamp post. When paramedics arrived at the scene, they found Barton to be in a state of distress, with an “extremely high” heart rate.
Despite initial denials, Barton eventually admitted to taking drugs, stating that he had taken “two lines” of cocaine. The paramedics’ initial drugs wipe came back negative, but their observations of Barton’s behavior led them to believe that he was under the influence of drugs. Police were called to the scene and Barton was arrested and taken into custody.
The prosecution argued that it was unclear whether the collision was caused by Barton’s epilepsy or the drugs he had taken. Barton’s driving license had previously been revoked due to his epilepsy, and he was aware of the risks associated with driving while under the influence of drugs. The prosecution also pointed out that Barton’s behavior was erratic and that he had initially refused to get into the ambulance when paramedics arrived at the scene.
In mitigation, Barton’s defense lawyer, Richard Prew, stated that his client had served a significant prison sentence for other matters since the commission of the offense. Prew also highlighted Barton’s efforts to address his addiction issues and his desire to return to his work as an electrician. Prew emphasized that Barton’s seizure and epilepsy were the major cause of the collision, rather than the cocaine he had taken.
District Judge Alexandra Preston acknowledged that the offense was serious, but took into account Barton’s efforts to address his addiction and his lack of previous convictions for drug-related offenses. She sentenced Barton to a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work, a 20-month driving ban, and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Preston emphasized the importance of road safety and the need for drivers to prioritize their own well-being and the safety of others on the road. She also noted that it was fortunate that no one was injured in the collision, and that Barton’s actions could have had serious consequences.
The case serves as a reminder of the dangers of drug driving and the importance of prioritizing road safety. It also highlights the need for drivers to take responsibility for their actions and to seek help if they are struggling with addiction issues. The incident also raises questions about the role of epilepsy in the collision and whether Barton’s seizure was a contributing factor.
Barton’s defense lawyer, Richard Prew, argued that Barton’s seizure and epilepsy were the major cause of the collision, rather than the cocaine he had taken. However, the prosecution argued that it was unclear whether the collision was caused by Barton’s epilepsy or the drugs he had taken. The judge ultimately found that Barton’s actions were a contributing factor to the collision, but did not specify which factor was more significant.
The case also raises questions about the role of paramedics and police in responding to drug-related incidents. Paramedics discovered Barton’s high heart rate and erratic behavior, which led them to believe that he was under the influence of drugs. Police were called to the scene and Barton was arrested and taken into custody. The incident highlights the importance of training for paramedics and police in responding to drug-related incidents and the need for effective communication between emergency services.
In conclusion, the case of Stephen Barton serves as a reminder of the dangers of drug driving and the importance of prioritizing road safety. It also highlights the need for drivers to take responsibility for their actions and to seek help if they are struggling with addiction issues. The incident raises questions about the role of epilepsy in the collision and whether Barton’s seizure was a contributing factor. The case also highlights the importance of training for paramedics and police in responding to drug-related incidents and the need for effective communication between emergency services.