Driver jailed after young boy badly hurt in crash

3 days ago

Tony FisherHertfordshire

Police conducted a drugs swipe of Martyn Chapman, which proved positive for cocaine

Hertfordshire Constabulary A police mugshot of a man with black hair and a black beard with some grey hairs. He is facing the camera and is wearing a dark blue top. — Police conducted a drugs swipe of Martyn Chapman, which proved positive for cocaine

A drug driver has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after seriously injuring a six-year-old boy in a collision on the A1(M).

Martyn Chapman, 42, of Wood View in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one count of driving whilst over the limit for drugs.

St Albans Crown Court heard on Friday that Chapman failed to recognise that traffic was slowing for the exit slip road at junction 8 for Stevenage and crashed into the vehicle in front, crushing it.

The boy, who was sitting in his child seat in the back, was trapped and his father was knocked unconscious.

The judge described the collision on the northbound stretch of the A1(M) as "horrific"

Google A motorway with a sign indicating junction 8 for Stevenage and Hitchin. The direction of travel is northbound towards Peterborough. There is a red tanker travelling past the junction. — The judge described the collision on the northbound stretch of the A1(M) as "horrific"

The court heard that Chapman had been driving his family northbound on the motorway when the incident happened on 3 November 2024 at about 18:00 GMT.

The boy suffered a fractured eye socket along with other minor facial and body injuries.

The judge described the collision as "horrific" and said it was a miracle the outcome was not worse.

A drugs test of Chapman proved positive for cocaine. Further testing found that he was more than nine times over the limit for prescribed drugs.

Sgt Chris Whales, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire road policing unit, said: "This was a hugely traumatic incident and I must commend the small boy's bravery.

"He and his family could have been killed by the recklessness of Chapman, who decided to get behind the wheel whilst under the influence of drugs.

"I hope this sentence serves as a lesson to all those who think it is acceptable to drive after taking drugs."

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