Drink-driver who caused pensioner’s death jailed for six years

Stuart Lithgow, 43, was involved in a head-on collision with a motorbike

Author: Craig McGlasson & Tom HailePublished 24th Oct 2024
Last updated 24th Oct 2024

A drink-driver who caused the death of a motorcyclist has been jailed for six years.

Stuart Lithgow, 43, was on the B5300 near Maryport Golf Course when he was involved in a head-on collision with a motorbike being ridden by Raymond Hammil, 75, on 11th September 2022.

A paramedic and two members of the public offered assistance to the pensioner, who had suffered terrible injuries which included an amputated lower leg and multiple fractures.

Mr Hammil was airlifted to Newcastle where he was transferred between specialist hospitals, underwent emergency surgery but died three days later.

After the collision, Lithgow failed a breath test which showed he was more than two-and-a-half times the legal driving limit. He told police he drank four bottles of lager and a bottle of wine the night before, and pleaded guilty to causing Mr Hammil’s death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit.

Stuart Lithgow

Lithgow was sentenced by a judge today (24th October) when an impact statement from one of Mr Hamil's two sons was read in court.

“He was a very kind, fun and active man who is very sadly missed by all his friends and family and certainly by his beloved sea cadets,” it said.

Raymond Hammil

Kim Whittlestone, defending for Lithgow, of Saltash Road, Keyham, Plymouth, provided mitigation and said he knew custody beckoned.

“He knows he deserves punishment for this offence,” she told the court.

Judge Nicholas Barker — who heard Lithgow had a previous conviction for drink-driving in 2013 — imposed the lengthy jail term.

Lithgow must serve a six-year driving ban when released from prison, and must take a mandatory retest.

"a completely avoidable and tragic collision"

In his police interview, Lithgow had told officers he had been drinking the night before but couldn’t understand why he was still over the limit. He denied he had drunk alcohol the day of the collision.

Lithgow was sentenced to six years in prison. He will also be banned from driving for six years upon his release and must sit an extended test to regain a license.

Detective Sergeant Deborah Story of Cumbria Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said:

“This was a completely avoidable and tragic collision which resulted in a man suffering horrendous injuries and ultimately losing his life.

“The driver was significantly over the drink-drive limit at the time of the collision and multiple witnesses described him driving aggressively, particularly in his over-taking, prior to colliding head-on with Mr Hammil’s motorbike. There was nothing Mr Hammil could do to avoid the collision.

“It is my hope that this case at least serves as a reminder to all road users of the dangers of driving whilst impaired by drink or drugs.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.