26-year-old Sam Cross has been handed a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and banned from driving for 3 years following a serious collision in Ryde last year, which injured 3 people.
Cross, of Longships Way in Reading – but who has strong connections to and works on the Isle of Wight – pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, driving without a licence and driving without due care attention at a previous hearing in November, but pleaded not guilty to 2 charges of driving whilst unfit through drugs.
During a trial at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court in January, Magistrates found the 26-year-old guilty of driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs – namely cocaine and cannabis.
It was on 1st May 2021 that emergency services responded to East Hill Road in Ryde following reports of a collision involving 2 vehicles – a red Nissan Micra driven by Cross and a black Mercedes-Benz B Class.
Fire crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were mobilised to the scene and worked alongside paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service to free 2 people medically trapped inside the Mercedes, which came to rest on the pavement as a result of the impact.
The court heard that Cross had been driving his red Micra (T230 TDL) with Class A and Class B drugs in his system and without due care and attention. It resulted in a head-on collision with the Mercedes.
Cross appeared before Reading Magistrates Court on Wednesday where Magistrates handed down a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, as well as a 3-year driving disqualification. He was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation days.
what a despicable sentence for such a string of offenses, thats no comfort for nthe 3 people who he injured through his negligence, its about time the courts got serious about crime
Another let off should of gone to prison
Do they not know how to imprison someone
Does someone have to die before they put a person in prison!
He was a drugged driver who almost killed some innocent law abiding occupants in another car . He should have gone to prison after taking drugs and driving a car . The CPS should appeal the decision and take the appeal to the higher courts of justice. The sentence is extremely weak and needs increasing in line with the crime committed.
He also had no licence or insurance
The sentence is pathetic. It will not stop him at all. He already drove without a licence so he will not respect a ban. Makes no difference if you do not respect the law
He should be charged in full for the cost of the emergency services. Also made to compensate victims.
Much too lenient courts need to get tougher
A truck driver was imprisoned for falling asleep at the wheel, crashed no injuries. Then this….
Sentences are far too lenient. It’s about time that serious offenders should be banned from driving for life.
I totally agree with your comment Mrs T. Only issue is, these morons don’t respect the law or even the sentences layed down to them by a judge. They just go out and get in a car and drive on the public roads. No Road Tax, Insurance or MOT, they don’t care. All they get is a suspended sentence. It’s pathetic. It’s about time these idiots are locked up. The Magistrates and Judges need to get tough. What does it take, some innocent motorist getting killed?
I agree with all the comments above, the courts just don’t seem to give a decent sentence.
How do these magistrates get their jobs? Are they all ex convicts, druggies or shoplifters.Or are they just ordinary members of the public who couldn’t give a dam.