The family of a pensioner fatally injured by a drug driver have released footage of the collision, expressing outrage over the sentencing of the driver.
Michael Piper, 79, was struck by a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Jamie Sutton in Cliftonville, near Margate, in April 2024. Sutton was driving a grey Audi S3 at nearly 40 mph in a 30 mph zone while under the influence of cannabis. Mr. Piper sustained multiple serious injuries, including numerous fractures.
Mr. Piper, a retired airport worker and father-of-two, was airlifted to King's College Hospital in London. He underwent surgery and was placed in an induced coma. Although he was initially discharged, he died at the QEQM Hospital in Margate on February 8 last year from complications related to his injuries.
On Wednesday, August 19, Sutton was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison at Canterbury Crown Court. He had pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and drug driving. He was also disqualified from driving for five years.
Mr. Piper's family described themselves as "disgusted" with the sentence, which could see Sutton released within 18 months. They intend to seek a referral of the sentence to the Attorney General.
The footage, shown in court, depicts the moment of impact, with Mr. Piper being thrown onto the car's windscreen before landing on the bonnet and sliding to the road. The family chose to release this footage to highlight what they consider a lenient sentence.
Mr. Piper, who was described as fit and healthy before the incident, was left bed-bound by his injuries and required repeated hospital admissions. His sister, Ann Mabb, stated that the family had waited two and a half years for justice, which they felt was inadequate.
The collision occurred as Mr. Piper was crossing Northdown Road shortly after 11 a.m. on April 18, 2024. Prosecutor Peter Forbes explained that a van in the oncoming lane had stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross, but Sutton, who was on his way to buy lunch, collided with Mr. Piper as he stepped into the road behind the stationary vehicle.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud thud followed by screeching tires. Sutton stopped at the scene and expressed distress, saying, "Oh my God." He initially told police he was driving at 30 mph and that Mr. Piper had crossed without looking.
While an initial breath test for alcohol and drugs was negative, and he passed an impairment test, a blood sample taken almost 12 hours later revealed a reading of 2.7 micrograms of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per liter of blood, exceeding the legal limit of 2 mcg.
Sutton's defense acknowledged that he occasionally smoked cannabis socially on weekends. The court heard that none of Mr. Piper's actions were significant contributors to his death.
Mr. Piper suffered a heart attack shortly after arriving at the hospital, leading to cardiac failure. He also developed other health complications, including acute kidney injury and a blood infection, which made him increasingly frail. A pathologist concluded that the collision was a direct cause of his deterioration and death.
Mr. Piper, who was an avid fisherman, stated from his hospital bed that his life had come to a "dead stop" due to the incident.
Sutton had initially denied charges of causing serious injury by careless driving and drug driving. He later admitted to the careless driving charge and then, after the pathologist's report, pleaded guilty to both offenses. The sentencing occurred on August 19.
Sutton's lawyer argued that his driving was not prolonged or aggressive, and that the THC level was close to the limit. He also noted that Sutton stopped at the scene and has struggled with mental health since the collision.
Judge James remarked that in such cases, "there are no winners, only losers." He acknowledged Mr. Piper's vibrant retirement and the prolonged suffering he endured. The judge stated that no sentence could provide adequate comfort for the loss of a loved one and that sentencing a hard-working father for an unintended tragedy was difficult.
However, the judge emphasized that Sutton was driving in excess of the speed limit and failed to account for busy street conditions, including pedestrians and stopped vehicles. He noted that while excessive speed was likely the primary factor, being over the drug-drive limit required punishment under more stringent guidelines. The judge concluded that the offense was too serious to warrant anything other than immediate imprisonment.
Victim impact statements from Mr. Piper's sister and a close friend described him as kind, thoughtful, and someone who enjoyed life to the fullest. They highlighted his significant decline in health and dignity following the collision, with one statement expressing a lack of forgiveness for Sutton's actions.