A court case revealed that a father and son consumed a total of 25 beers before causing a fatal accident that claimed the life of a four-year-old boy. Patrick Maughan, 54, and Owen Maughan, 27, are accused of causing the death of young Peter Maughan in Dartford, Kent, while pursuing his mother. The pair had spent the day drinking at two different pubs in Rochester, Kent, with Owen reportedly drinking about 12 bottles of beer and Patrick consuming around 13 pints.
Jurors at Maidstone Crown Court heard that Owen took the wheel of a Ford Ranger pick-up truck on June 1 last year after drinking at the Jolly Knight pub and City Wall wine bar. While driving along the A2, they encountered Owen’s cousin Hayley and her partner Lovell Mahon in another pick-up truck, with their children, Peter, 4, and Annarica Maughan, 1, also on board. Witnesses stated that the father-son duo began verbally attacking the occupants of the other vehicle, and Owen’s driving became erratic.
According to prosecutor Richard Jory KC, it appeared that Owen and Patrick became enraged and directed their anger towards the occupants of the other vehicle for unknown reasons. Hayley recorded videos of the chase for several miles and left a voice message expressing her fear to her mother. She described Peter Maughan as appearing highly agitated. The vehicles exited the A2 at Pepper Hill near Northfleet, with witnesses describing Owen and Patrick as being in a hostile state towards Lovell’s truck. Despite attempts by Lovell to signal the presence of children and resolve the situation peacefully, Owen reportedly chose to escalate the confrontation.
The court was informed that Owen contacted Hayley’s brother Jason, stating his intention to collide with the other truck. Owen then deliberately drove into the other vehicle at 60mph, causing it to overturn in what was described as a purposeful high-speed collision by Mr. Jory. The prosecution alleged that Owen used his vehicle as a weapon to force the other truck off the road. Subsequently, Owen and Patrick fled the scene, stopping only to remove the truck’s registration plate.
Tragically, Peter was ejected from the pick-up truck during the crash and succumbed to severe injuries to his chest, head, and abdomen. Lovell sustained serious injuries, including a skull fracture, with slim prospects of regaining mobility. Additionally, the Maughans’ car inadvertently trapped a buggy from the other vehicle, dragging it until the car was parked. Mr. Jory emphasized that although the circumstances of the case were unusual, it constituted a murder case, a charge the defendants from Darenth, Kent, denied.
Owen admitted to the manslaughter of Peter, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and inflicting grievous bodily harm on Lovell. While Owen acknowledged deliberately ramming the other vehicle and driving dangerously, he disputed any intent to harm the occupants. Both Owen and Patrick denied the murder charge. Patrick refuted allegations of encouraging or assisting his son, with the jurors informed that the focal point of the case revolved around their mental state.
The trial proceedings have been adjourned until Tuesday.
