Van driver who caused death of much-loved cyclist in horror smash is jailed

QUOTE:
DRUG driver who caused a horror crash that killed a much-loved father and husband has been jailed.

A court heard that Trevor Long had been ‘fiddling with his radio’ in a van that was not roadworthy when he struck his cyclist victim who later died.

In a poignant victim personal statement John Howes' widow said the family had been left 'devastated' by their loss.

The 42-year-old of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, admitted at Oxford Crown Court today one count of causing death by dangerous driving and he was sentenced at the same hearing.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the fatal crash took place on October 28 last year along the B4044 Eynsham Road, near Farmoor.

At about 6.30pm Long was driving a white van and Mr Howes was riding his bicycle on the same road in the same direction.

Mr Howes, 58, had finished work that night at the Nuffield College where he was a porter and was on his way home and the court heard his bicycle would have been illuminated on the front and the back.

Long’s van, a company vehicle, was not roadworthy, and had defects including a broken head lamp and a defective tyre.

During the fatal incident, prosecutors said, Long was ‘fiddling with his radio’ and claimed to have not seen the cyclist before striking him.

Mr Howes struck his head after being hit, and was later taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he died.

Long was tested at the roadside and metabolites for cocaine were found to be in his system, above the legal limit for the class A drug.

Prosecutors also said that Long has a number of previous crimes to his name, made up of 19 convictions for 42 offences.

It was revealed that while none involved driving offences he has a number of drug-related crimes in his past.

In an emotional victim personal statement from Mr Howes' widow Lucy she said ‘to say I am devastated is an understatement.’
AD

She described her husband as her ‘best friend’ and said ‘without John there is very little point in going on but I must.’

In mitigation Mark Rhind, defending, said that his client was remorseful for what he had done and had taken the drugs which were later found in his system, on the Saturday before the crash and not the same day.

He said: “He [is] so sorry for what happened, he knows he has caused misery and if there was any way he could take it back he would do, but of course tragically he can’t.�

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said taking cocaine in the days before the crash was ‘sheer folly.’

He said: “Your driving simply obliterated the happiness and devotion about which we have heard."

Long was jailed for five years and four months and he was disqualified from driving for five years.

He must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18...-smash-jailed/

On 27/08/2020 19:12, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
DRUG driver who caused a horror crash that killed a much-loved father and husband has been jailed.

A court heard that Trevor Long had been ‘fiddling with his radio’ in a van that was not roadworthy when he struck his cyclist victim who later died.

In a poignant victim personal statement John Howes' widow said the family had been left 'devastated' by their loss.

The 42-year-old of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, admitted at Oxford Crown Court today one count of causing death by dangerous driving and he was sentenced at the same hearing.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the fatal crash took place on October 28 last year along the B4044 Eynsham Road, near Farmoor.

At about 6.30pm Long was driving a white van and Mr Howes was riding his bicycle on the same road in the same direction.

Mr Howes, 58, had finished work that night at the Nuffield College where he was a porter and was on his way home and the court heard his bicycle would have been illuminated on the front and the back.

Long’s van, a company vehicle, was not roadworthy, and had defects including a broken head lamp and a defective tyre.

During the fatal incident, prosecutors said, Long was ‘fiddling with his radio’ and claimed to have not seen the cyclist before striking him.

Mr Howes struck his head after being hit, and was later taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he died.

Long was tested at the roadside and metabolites for cocaine were found to be in his system, above the legal limit for the class A drug.

Prosecutors also said that Long has a number of previous crimes to his name, made up of 19 convictions for 42 offences.

It was revealed that while none involved driving offences he has a number of drug-related crimes in his past.

In an emotional victim personal statement from Mr Howes' widow Lucy she said ‘to say I am devastated is an understatement.’
AD

She described her husband as her ‘best friend’ and said ‘without John there is very little point in going on but I must.’

In mitigation Mark Rhind, defending, said that his client was remorseful for what he had done and had taken the drugs which were later found in his system, on the Saturday before the crash and not the same day.

He said: “He [is] so sorry for what happened, he knows he has caused misery and if there was any way he could take it back he would do, but of course tragically he can’t.�

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said taking cocaine in the days before the crash was ‘sheer folly.’

He said: “Your driving simply obliterated the happiness and devotion about which we have heard."

Long was jailed for five years and four months and he was disqualified from driving for five years.

He must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18...-smash-jailed/

Nineteen previous convictions (none of which were driving offences and
at least some of which were for illegal drug offences)?

Driving whilst under the influence of an illegal drug (that must put
Collins in a quandary - he wants to support it, but can't in these
circumstances).

Driving without due care and attention (fiddling with the radio, which
has to be something he has admitted), but this has somehow been elevated
to dangerous driving (probably the drugs justified that).

And two C&U regs offences (the headlamp malfunction may well have
contributed at 18:30 in late October, even in Oxfordshire, the tyre
probably didn't).

The sentence seems fair just on the drugs side of things.

On Thursday, 27 August 2020 20:19:29 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 19:12, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
DRUG driver who caused a horror crash that killed a much-loved father and husband has been jailed.

A court heard that Trevor Long had been ‘fiddling with his radio’ in a van that was not roadworthy when he struck his cyclist victim who later died.

In a poignant victim personal statement John Howes' widow said the family had been left 'devastated' by their loss.

The 42-year-old of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, admitted at Oxford Crown Court today one count of causing death by dangerous driving and he was sentenced at the same hearing.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the fatal crash took place on October 28 last year along the B4044 Eynsham Road, near Farmoor.

At about 6.30pm Long was driving a white van and Mr Howes was riding his bicycle on the same road in the same direction.

Mr Howes, 58, had finished work that night at the Nuffield College where he was a porter and was on his way home and the court heard his bicycle would have been illuminated on the front and the back.

Long’s van, a company vehicle, was not roadworthy, and had defects including a broken head lamp and a defective tyre.

During the fatal incident, prosecutors said, Long was ‘fiddling with his radio’ and claimed to have not seen the cyclist before striking him.

Mr Howes struck his head after being hit, and was later taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he died.

Long was tested at the roadside and metabolites for cocaine were found to be in his system, above the legal limit for the class A drug.

Prosecutors also said that Long has a number of previous crimes to his name, made up of 19 convictions for 42 offences.

It was revealed that while none involved driving offences he has a number of drug-related crimes in his past.

In an emotional victim personal statement from Mr Howes' widow Lucy she said ‘to say I am devastated is an understatement.’
AD

She described her husband as her ‘best friend’ and said ‘without John there is very little point in going on but I must.’

In mitigation Mark Rhind, defending, said that his client was remorseful for what he had done and had taken the drugs which were later found in his system, on the Saturday before the crash and not the same day.

He said: “He [is] so sorry for what happened, he knows he has caused misery and if there was any way he could take it back he would do, but of course tragically he can’t.�

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said taking cocaine in the days before the crash was ‘sheer folly.’

He said: “Your driving simply obliterated the happiness and devotion about which we have heard."

Long was jailed for five years and four months and he was disqualified from driving for five years.

He must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18...-smash-jailed/

Nineteen previous convictions (none of which were driving offences and
at least some of which were for illegal drug offences)?

Driving whilst under the influence of an illegal drug (that must put
Collins in a quandary - he wants to support it, but can't in these
circumstances).


Please cite the post where I condone driving under the influence of drugs, legal or illegal.
Do you condone driving under the influence of the legal drug Ethanol?

On 27/08/2020 22:42, Mike Collins wrote:
On Thursday, 27 August 2020 20:19:29 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 19:12, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
DRUG driver who caused a horror crash that killed a much-loved father and husband has been jailed.

A court heard that Trevor Long had been ‘fiddling with his radio’ in a van that was not roadworthy when he struck his cyclist victim who later died.

In a poignant victim personal statement John Howes' widow said the family had been left 'devastated' by their loss.

The 42-year-old of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, admitted at Oxford Crown Court today one count of causing death by dangerous driving and he was sentenced at the same hearing.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the fatal crash took place on October 28 last year along the B4044 Eynsham Road, near Farmoor.

At about 6.30pm Long was driving a white van and Mr Howes was riding his bicycle on the same road in the same direction.

Mr Howes, 58, had finished work that night at the Nuffield College where he was a porter and was on his way home and the court heard his bicycle would have been illuminated on the front and the back.

Long’s van, a company vehicle, was not roadworthy, and had defects including a broken head lamp and a defective tyre.

During the fatal incident, prosecutors said, Long was ‘fiddling with his radio’ and claimed to have not seen the cyclist before striking him.

Mr Howes struck his head after being hit, and was later taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he died.

Long was tested at the roadside and metabolites for cocaine were found to be in his system, above the legal limit for the class A drug.

Prosecutors also said that Long has a number of previous crimes to his name, made up of 19 convictions for 42 offences.

It was revealed that while none involved driving offences he has a number of drug-related crimes in his past.

In an emotional victim personal statement from Mr Howes' widow Lucy she said ‘to say I am devastated is an understatement.’
AD

She described her husband as her ‘best friend’ and said ‘without John there is very little point in going on but I must.’

In mitigation Mark Rhind, defending, said that his client was remorseful for what he had done and had taken the drugs which were later found in his system, on the Saturday before the crash and not the same day.

He said: “He [is] so sorry for what happened, he knows he has caused misery and if there was any way he could take it back he would do, but of course tragically he can’t.�

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said taking cocaine in the days before the crash was ‘sheer folly.’

He said: “Your driving simply obliterated the happiness and devotion about which we have heard."

Long was jailed for five years and four months and he was disqualified from driving for five years.

He must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18...-smash-jailed/

Nineteen previous convictions (none of which were driving offences and
at least some of which were for illegal drug offences)?

Driving whilst under the influence of an illegal drug (that must put
Collins in a quandary - he wants to support it, but can't in these
circumstances).


Please cite the post where I condone driving under the influence of drugs, legal or illegal.

I didn't say you did.

I said you'd want to support the taking of illegal drugs, and you have
stated that more than once.

Do you condone driving under the influence of the legal drug Ethanol?

What are you whittering on about now?

I'm making the perhaps unsafe assumption that you know, of course.

On Friday, 28 August 2020 00:51:35 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 22:42, Mike Collins wrote:
On Thursday, 27 August 2020 20:19:29 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 19:12, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
DRUG driver who caused a horror crash that killed a much-loved father and husband has been jailed.

A court heard that Trevor Long had been ‘fiddling with his radio’ in a van that was not roadworthy when he struck his cyclist victim who later died.

In a poignant victim personal statement John Howes' widow said the family had been left 'devastated' by their loss.

The 42-year-old of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, admitted at Oxford Crown Court today one count of causing death by dangerous driving and he was sentenced at the same hearing.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the fatal crash took place on October 28 last year along the B4044 Eynsham Road, near Farmoor.

At about 6.30pm Long was driving a white van and Mr Howes was riding his bicycle on the same road in the same direction.

Mr Howes, 58, had finished work that night at the Nuffield College where he was a porter and was on his way home and the court heard his bicycle would have been illuminated on the front and the back.

Long’s van, a company vehicle, was not roadworthy, and had defects including a broken head lamp and a defective tyre.

During the fatal incident, prosecutors said, Long was ‘fiddling with his radio’ and claimed to have not seen the cyclist before striking him.

Mr Howes struck his head after being hit, and was later taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he died.

Long was tested at the roadside and metabolites for cocaine were found to be in his system, above the legal limit for the class A drug.

Prosecutors also said that Long has a number of previous crimes to his name, made up of 19 convictions for 42 offences.

It was revealed that while none involved driving offences he has a number of drug-related crimes in his past.

In an emotional victim personal statement from Mr Howes' widow Lucy she said ‘to say I am devastated is an understatement.’
AD

She described her husband as her ‘best friend’ and said ‘without John there is very little point in going on but I must.’

In mitigation Mark Rhind, defending, said that his client was remorseful for what he had done and had taken the drugs which were later found in his system, on the Saturday before the crash and not the same day.

He said: “He [is] so sorry for what happened, he knows he has caused misery and if there was any way he could take it back he would do, but of course tragically he can’t.�

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said taking cocaine in the days before the crash was ‘sheer folly.’

He said: “Your driving simply obliterated the happiness and devotion about which we have heard."

Long was jailed for five years and four months and he was disqualified from driving for five years.

He must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18...-smash-jailed/

Nineteen previous convictions (none of which were driving offences and
at least some of which were for illegal drug offences)?

Driving whilst under the influence of an illegal drug (that must put
Collins in a quandary - he wants to support it, but can't in these
circumstances).


Please cite the post where I condone driving under the influence of drugs, legal or illegal.

I didn't say you did.

"Driving whilst under the influence of an illegal drug (that must put
Collins in a quandary - he wants to support it, but can't in these
circumstances)"

Did you or did you not say this?


I said you'd want to support the taking of illegal drugs, and you have
stated that more than once.

Where did I say this?

On 27/08/2020 19:12, Simon Mason wrote:


He said: “He [is] so sorry for what happened, he knows he has caused
misery and if there was any way he could take it back he would do,
but of course tragically he can’t.�

.....

Long was jailed for five years and four months and he was
disqualified from driving for five years.

I wonder what the sentence would have been without the grovelling.

The driving ban should be for the duration of the sentence plus 5 years.

On 28/08/2020 00:59, Mike Collins wrote:
On Friday, 28 August 2020 00:51:35 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 22:42, Mike Collins wrote:
On Thursday, 27 August 2020 20:19:29 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 19:12, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
DRUG driver who caused a horror crash that killed a much-loved father and husband has been jailed.

A court heard that Trevor Long had been ‘fiddling with his radio’ in a van that was not roadworthy when he struck his cyclist victim who later died.

In a poignant victim personal statement John Howes' widow said the family had been left 'devastated' by their loss.

The 42-year-old of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, admitted at Oxford Crown Court today one count of causing death by dangerous driving and he was sentenced at the same hearing.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the fatal crash took place on October 28 last year along the B4044 Eynsham Road, near Farmoor.

At about 6.30pm Long was driving a white van and Mr Howes was riding his bicycle on the same road in the same direction.

Mr Howes, 58, had finished work that night at the Nuffield College where he was a porter and was on his way home and the court heard his bicycle would have been illuminated on the front and the back.

Long’s van, a company vehicle, was not roadworthy, and had defects including a broken head lamp and a defective tyre.

During the fatal incident, prosecutors said, Long was ‘fiddling with his radio’ and claimed to have not seen the cyclist before striking him.

Mr Howes struck his head after being hit, and was later taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he died.

Long was tested at the roadside and metabolites for cocaine were found to be in his system, above the legal limit for the class A drug.

Prosecutors also said that Long has a number of previous crimes to his name, made up of 19 convictions for 42 offences.

It was revealed that while none involved driving offences he has a number of drug-related crimes in his past.

In an emotional victim personal statement from Mr Howes' widow Lucy she said ‘to say I am devastated is an understatement.’
AD

She described her husband as her ‘best friend’ and said ‘without John there is very little point in going on but I must.’

In mitigation Mark Rhind, defending, said that his client was remorseful for what he had done and had taken the drugs which were later found in his system, on the Saturday before the crash and not the same day.

He said: “He [is] so sorry for what happened, he knows he has caused misery and if there was any way he could take it back he would do, but of course tragically he can’t.�

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said taking cocaine in the days before the crash was ‘sheer folly.’

He said: “Your driving simply obliterated the happiness and devotion about which we have heard."

Long was jailed for five years and four months and he was disqualified from driving for five years.

He must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18...-smash-jailed/

Nineteen previous convictions (none of which were driving offences and
at least some of which were for illegal drug offences)?

Driving whilst under the influence of an illegal drug (that must put
Collins in a quandary - he wants to support it, but can't in these
circumstances).


Please cite the post where I condone driving under the influence of drugs, legal or illegal.

I didn't say you did.

"Driving whilst under the influence of an illegal drug (that must put
Collins in a quandary - he wants to support it, but can't in these
circumstances)"

Did you or did you not say this?

"It" means the possession, posession with intent to supply, sale and use
of illegal drugs.

You are a supporter of all of those.

You have said so (and to the extent that you have nor specifically said
any one of them, it is implied inescapably by support for the others).

I said you'd want to support the taking of illegal drugs, and you have
stated that more than once.

Where did I say this?

Don't be even more childish.

On Friday, 28 August 2020 16:39:09 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 28/08/2020 00:59, Mike Collins wrote:
On Friday, 28 August 2020 00:51:35 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 22:42, Mike Collins wrote:
On Thursday, 27 August 2020 20:19:29 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 19:12, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
DRUG driver who caused a horror crash that killed a much-loved father and husband has been jailed.

A court heard that Trevor Long had been ‘fiddling with his radio’ in a van that was not roadworthy when he struck his cyclist victim who later died.

In a poignant victim personal statement John Howes' widow said the family had been left 'devastated' by their loss.

The 42-year-old of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, admitted at Oxford Crown Court today one count of causing death by dangerous driving and he was sentenced at the same hearing.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the fatal crash took place on October 28 last year along the B4044 Eynsham Road, near Farmoor.

On 28/08/2020 17:06, Mike Collins wrote:
On Friday, 28 August 2020 16:39:09 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 28/08/2020 00:59, Mike Collins wrote:
On Friday, 28 August 2020 00:51:35 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 22:42, Mike Collins wrote:
On Thursday, 27 August 2020 20:19:29 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 19:12, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
DRUG driver who caused a horror crash that killed a much-loved father and husband has been jailed.

A court heard that Trevor Long had been ‘fiddling with his radio’ in a van that was not roadworthy when he struck his cyclist victim who later died.

In a poignant victim personal statement John Howes' widow said the family had been left 'devastated' by their loss.

The 42-year-old of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, admitted at Oxford Crown Court today one count of causing death by dangerous driving and he was sentenced at the same hearing.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the fatal crash took place on October 28 last year along the B4044 Eynsham Road, near Farmoor.

At about 6.30pm Long was driving a white van and Mr Howes was riding his bicycle on the same road in the same direction.

Mr Howes, 58, had finished work that night at the Nuffield College where he was a porter and was on his way home and the court heard his bicycle would have been illuminated on the front and the back.

Long’s van, a company vehicle, was not roadworthy, and had defects including a broken head lamp and a defective tyre.

During the fatal incident, prosecutors said, Long was ‘fiddling with his radio’ and claimed to have not seen the cyclist before striking him.

Mr Howes struck his head after being hit, and was later taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he died.

Long was tested at the roadside and metabolites for cocaine were found to be in his system, above the legal limit for the class A drug.

Prosecutors also said that Long has a number of previous crimes to his name, made up of 19 convictions for 42 offences.

It was revealed that while none involved driving offences he has a number of drug-related crimes in his past.

In an emotional victim personal statement from Mr Howes' widow Lucy she said ‘to say I am devastated is an understatement.’
AD

She described her husband as her ‘best friend’ and said ‘without John there is very little point in going on but I must.’

In mitigation Mark Rhind, defending, said that his client was remorseful for what he had done and had taken the drugs which were later found in his system, on the Saturday before the crash and not the same day.

He said: “He [is] so sorry for what happened, he knows he has caused misery and if there was any way he could take it back he would do, but of course tragically he can’t.�

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said taking cocaine in the days before the crash was ‘sheer folly.’

He said: “Your driving simply obliterated the happiness and devotion about which we have heard."

Long was jailed for five years and four months and he was disqualified from driving for five years.

He must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18...-smash-jailed/

Nineteen previous convictions (none of which were driving offences and
at least some of which were for illegal drug offences)?

Driving whilst under the influence of an illegal drug (that must put
Collins in a quandary - he wants to support it, but can't in these
circumstances).


Please cite the post where I condone driving under the influence of drugs, legal or illegal.

I didn't say you did.

"Driving whilst under the influence of an illegal drug (that must put
Collins in a quandary - he wants to support it, but can't in these
circumstances)"

Did you or did you not say this?

"It" means the possession, posession with intent to supply, sale and use
of illegal drugs.

You are a supporter of all of those.

No I am not

You have said so, more than once.

and what does this have to do with driving under the influence drugs (legal or illegal).

Only that the driver was said to be have taken illegal drugs.

You have stated I condone this so you need to provide evidence or apologise.

You support the use of illegal drugs and have said so. That is condoning it.

You have said so (and to the extent that you have nor specifically said
any one of them, it is implied inescapably by support for the others).

I said you'd want to support the taking of illegal drugs, and you have
stated that more than once.

Where did I say this?

Don't be even more childish.

So no evidence to support your claim as usual.

I am not going to start trawling your posts, if that's what you mean.
Others - and you - know the truth of the matter. Just a few days ago you
were waxing lyrical on the supposed benefits of an illegal drug.

Go on... try to deny it.

On Friday, 28 August 2020 17:43:31 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 28/08/2020 17:06, Mike Collins wrote:
On Friday, 28 August 2020 16:39:09 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 28/08/2020 00:59, Mike Collins wrote:
On Friday, 28 August 2020 00:51:35 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 22:42, Mike Collins wrote:
On Thursday, 27 August 2020 20:19:29 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
On 27/08/2020 19:12, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
DRUG driver who caused a horror crash that killed a much-loved father and husband has been jailed.

A court heard that Trevor Long had been ‘fiddling with his radio’ in a van that was not roadworthy when he struck his cyclist victim who later died.

In a poignant victim personal statement John Howes' widow said the family had been left 'devastated' by their loss.

The 42-year-old of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, admitted at Oxford Crown Court today one count of causing death by dangerous driving and he was sentenced at the same hearing.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the fatal crash took place on October 28 last year along the B4044 Eynsham Road, near Farmoor.

At about 6.30pm Long was driving a white van and Mr Howes was riding his bicycle on the same road in the same direction.

Mr Howes, 58, had finished work that night at the Nuffield College where he was a porter and was on his way home and the court heard his bicycle would have been illuminated on the front and the back.

Long’s van, a company vehicle, was not roadworthy, and had defects including a broken head lamp and a defective tyre.

During the fatal incident, prosecutors said, Long was ‘fiddling with his radio’ and claimed to have not seen the cyclist before striking him.

Mr Howes struck his head after being hit, and was later taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he died.

Long was tested at the roadside and metabolites for cocaine were found to be in his system, above the legal limit for the class A drug.

Prosecutors also said that Long has a number of previous crimes to his name, made up of 19 convictions for 42 offences.

It was revealed that while none involved driving offences he has a number of drug-related crimes in his past.

In an emotional victim personal statement from Mr Howes' widow Lucy she said ‘to say I am devastated is an understatement.’
AD

She described her husband as her ‘best friend’ and said ‘without John there is very little point in going on but I must.’

In mitigation Mark Rhind, defending, said that his client was remorseful for what he had done and had taken the drugs which were later found in his system, on the Saturday before the crash and not the same day.

He said: “He [is] so sorry for what happened, he knows he has caused misery and if there was any way he could take it back he would do, but of course tragically he can’t.�

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said taking cocaine in the days before the crash was ‘sheer folly.’

He said: “Your driving simply obliterated the happiness and devotion about which we have heard."

Long was jailed for five years and four months and he was disqualified from driving for five years.

He must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18...-smash-jailed/

Nineteen previous convictions (none of which were driving offences and
at least some of which were for illegal drug offences)?

Driving whilst under the influence of an illegal drug (that must put
Collins in a quandary - he wants to support it, but can't in these
circumstances).


Please cite the post where I condone driving under the influence of drugs, legal or illegal.

I didn't say you did.

"Driving whilst under the influence of an illegal drug (that must put
Collins in a quandary - he wants to support it, but can't in these
circumstances)"

Did you or did you not say this?

"It" means the possession, posession with intent to supply, sale and use
of illegal drugs.

You are a supporter of all of those.

No I am not

You have said so, more than once.

Where?


and what does this have to do with driving under the influence drugs (legal or illegal).

Only that the driver was said to be have taken illegal drugs.

You have stated I condone this so you need to provide evidence or apologise.

You support the use of illegal drugs and have said so. That is condoning it.

No I do not and I have never condoned driving under the influence of drugs, legal or illegal.


You have said so (and to the extent that you have nor specifically said
any one of them, it is implied inescapably by support for the others).

I said you'd want to support the taking of illegal drugs, and you have
stated that more than once.

Where did I say this?

Don't be even more childish.

So no evidence to support your claim as usual.

I am not going to start trawling your posts, if that's what you mean.
Others - and you - know the truth of the matter. Just a few days ago you
were waxing lyrical on the supposed benefits of an illegal drug.

Go on... try to deny it.

So no evidence to support your claim as usual.
I do not deny that all peer reviewed evidence suggests legalising cannabis for medical and recreational use would be beneficial to individuals and society.
Similarly opening clinics where addicts can be given a maintenance dose of hard drugs with help and support will reduce the number of hard drug addicts and put the drug cartels out of business.