Lawson Wright
Dangerous driving *
Sentence
18 months imprisonment suspended for 20 months
On Saturday, April 20, Lawson Wright, 56, from Headington, Oxfordshire, heavily intoxicated, stumbled from a pub in Headington, fell into a plant pot, then drove his van without insurance onto the A44 in Yarnton. After approximately six miles, he crashed into another vehicle, causing minor injuries to the driver and passenger, and was himself seriously injured, requiring an induced coma. The crash pushed the other vehicle off the road into trees. He was a huge risk to other road users.
Pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, dangerous driving, possession of a class C controlled drug (Diazepam), and failure to provide a specimen for analysis. Banned from driving for 5 years with extended re-test required. Ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to victims. Nine-month curfew from 7pm to 5am. Judge Michael Roques commented it was a serious drink driving offence and he was lucky to avoid immediate custody.