Drug-driver avoids jail over crash that caused tractor to plough into homes
Matthew Cumpsty drove a silver Mercedes E-Class through a red light into the path of a JCB tractor, Cheshire Police said.
The impact of the crash in Chester caused the tractor to veer off the road into a series of homes, leaving a trail of devastation.
Emergency services attended the collision in Green Lane on April 1 and found that two houses had suffered serious structural damage.
Footage of the crash shows the tractor driving straight into the front of a number of properties, causing at least two to partially collapse.
Police said it was 'pure chance' that there were no reports of injuries.
Cumpsty was arrested at the scene after failing a roadside drugs swipe.
A toxicology report later revealed that he was over the limit for benzoylecgonine (cocaine) with 65 micrograms per litre of blood, over the limit of 50mcg, the force said.
The 52-year-old, of Oldfield Drive, Great Boughton, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday where he was handed a 12-month community order including 200 hours community service.
He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge and received a 16-month driving ban.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to drug-driving and dangerous driving.
Pc Richard Phillips said: 'While Cumpsty has shown remorse for his actions, the impact of his actions that day were life-changing and it was pure chance that nobody suffered any serious injuries.
'As a result of one bad decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence, several families were left homeless and commuters travelling into Chester were left with serious disruption for several weeks while repair work was undertaken.
'In addition, Cumpsty is facing a lengthy driving ban. I hope that this ban will give him time to reflect on his actions that day.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
-copy.jpeg%3Ftrim%3D0%2C0%2C0%2C0%26width%3D1200%26height%3D800%26crop%3D1200%3A800&w=3840&q=100)
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
Tributes paid to dad who died during Oasis gig in Wembley
Lee Claydon, a father from Bournemouth, tragically died after falling from an upper tier balcony during an Oasis concert at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night. Described as a 'loving family man' and 'role model' to his son, his brother Aaron Claydon paid tribute, stating the family is devastated by the unexpected loss. A GoFundMe page has been established by his brother to provide financial and emotional support to Lee's partner, Amanda, and their family. The Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with mobile phone footage to assist their inquiry. Both Wembley Stadium officials and the Gallagher brothers expressed their shock and sadness following the concert-goer's death.
The Guardian
11 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The dark side of cryptocurrency
Andrew Bailey is right to distance the British financial system from cryptocurrency, but he is being too polite about it (Editorial, 29 July). Cryptocurrency is evil. Being speculative in nature, it serves no purpose as a useful currency, and being secretive, it facilitates international drug dealing, people trafficking and terrorism. In addition to helping destabilise our precarious world, it has a huge, unnecessary carbon footprint. It's time for our financial authorities to speak truth to MakepeaceNarberth, Pembrokeshire At my primary school in 1948 I was sent almost daily to the headmaster, who would give me two painful whacks on each of my hands – all for talking in class. I now appreciate that I simply suffered, well before my time, from an excess of 'oracy' (Letters, 1 August).Alan WoolleyWeybridge, Surrey With reference to the letter from Mike Lowcock about Prince Charles (31 July), the wearing of a sgian-dubh ('dagger' as you so tweely translated for your English readers) is legal when worn as part of the national dress of WestwoodEdinburgh Are any of the 472 white storks seen over London from 2016 to 2023 (Report, 4 August) evidence of assistance to the beleaguered NHS maternity services?David FellowsStorrington, West Sussex Our local tip here in Grantham (Letters, 30 July) has a picture of Margaret Thatcher hanging in its canteen. It's used as a HoganGrantham, Lincolnshire Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
BBC News
11 minutes ago
- BBC News
Man jailed after Todmorden teenager's drug death
A drug dealer who supplied ecstasy to a 16-year-old girl who later collapsed and died has been jailed for four Wooler took the drug with friends in a park in Todmorden after buying £40 of Class A MDMA from Michael Shaw in July 2024. She became unwell and collapsed and, despite hospital treatment, never regained was initially charged with manslaughter but the charge was dismissed for legal reasons. However, he admitted to supplying MDMA and cannabis and being concerned in the supply of the 24-year-old at Bradford Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Gibson said: "This case demonstrates the grave danger involved in the taking of illegal drugs by anybody." The court heard that after taking the MDMA Tilly became paranoid and unsteady on her feet before collapsing and being rushed to Jane Brady said the teen's cause of death was multiple organ who the court heard dealt cannabis regularly, was arrested. He was unemployed but did not claim benefits and had no legitimate source of income. 'Devastating impact' In a victim impact statement Tilly's mother said her daughter was a "joy to be around" and was missed every day. Father-of-two Shaw, from Bridge Street in Todmorden, also wrote a letter to Tilly's family, which was read out in court by his barrister, Michelle Colborne KC. He said he took responsibility for everything that happened and "not a day went by" when he did not think about Tilly and her said it was something he would think about and regret for the rest of his life."I offer the most sincere apology and condolence to Tilly's family and will ensure that this will never happen again," he sentence, the judge said: "This case demonstrates the grave danger involved in the taking of illegal drugs by anybody. "If the publicity it receives stops anyone, including any young person, from taking drugs that at least will be a positive outcome."He added: "Tilly's untimely death, at such a young age, has had a devastating impact on her parents and wider family." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
