Huyton man jailed for drug driving, after girlfriend died in accident
Jamie Hughes, 23, was sentenced to 6 years and 9 months, following the death of Kate Swale
A Huyton man has been jailed for six years, nine months for causing the death of 21-year-old Kate Swale by driving dangerously while under the influence of drugs.
Jamie Hughes, 23, of Belton Road, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today (Friday 17 February) having pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing in December. Hughes had been remanded in custody to be sentenced today.
He was also disqualified from driving for a period of five years after his release and will be required to take an extended driving test prior to obtaining a licence in the future.
The incident happened at around 0.05am on Saturday 27 May 2023, as Hughes drove his Vauxhall Corsa along the M62 Westbound in Huyton. At this time, he was more than three times over the legal limit for Ketamine. Hughes collided with a Mercedes and lost control before leaving the carriageway. Kate suffered serious injuries and died from her injuries. She was 21 years old.
Detective Sergeant Kurt Timpson, the Lead Investigating Officer from the Merseyside Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain very much with the Kate’s family at this difficult time, and we continue to support them. They have shown great strength and dignity throughout this investigation and sentencing.
“No sentence can or is ever designed to make up for the loss of a human life, however we welcome the sentencing of Hughes today. This case has been distressing for everyone involved and has cut short the life of young women. My team has worked tirelessly to ensure that the offender has been brought to justice and that we were able to provide Kate’s family and close friends with the answers they needed.
“Life is precious and road death forces families into the most traumatic and frightening time of their lives and in the vast majority of cases, such as this one, are totally preventable.
“I will be clear that driving whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not acceptable under any circumstances. It is selfish and dangerous and in this case we have seen the devastation that it can cause. Kate should have been safe in a car with her boyfriend, but due to the defendants’ actions, tragically lost her life. Hughes was heavily impaired by his use of Ketamine.
Detective Sergeant Timpson added: “Driving whilst impaired through drink and drugs devastates lives and causes unimaginable harm to people who become involved in road crashes. Not one of us would want to be involved in such incidents and we must change driving behaviour to reduce that harm. I plead with anyone who ever takes such risks, to stop and think of the consequences of their actions.
“Merseyside Police will not tolerate drivers who deliberately ignore the rules of the road, and we are committed to the prevention of serious injury and road death, to work towards Vision Zero – our strategy focused on driving down the amount of road traffic collisions in our regions and to lower the number of people killed and seriously injured on our streets.
“However, this is something that we must all do in partnership. Communities can also take a stand and help us to make the roads safer. The vast majority of road users across Merseyside are responsible and law abiding and we know how much you want to help us, so that we can ensure roads and shared spaces are used responsibly and that people abide by the laws we enforce.
“To that end, if you know of drivers who are breaking the law and thus putting others in danger, please tell us, so that we can take swift and robust action to prevent harm.”
You pass information via @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress and it is safe to do so.
The family of Kate would like us to share the following words:
“Firstly, thank you to Merseyside Police, North West Ambulance Service and the doctors and nurses of Whiston A&E, all of whom made every effort they could to try and save her life. From the bottom of my broken heart, we cannot thank you enough.
“We will have to manage the trauma, nightmares and grief for the rest of our lives because of other people’s choices. Very, very dangerous choices which was proved to be a disaster of a choice, and has smashed our world into pieces.
“Hopefully anyone hearing these words will realise that it is time to stop making the same selfish choices, in drug driving, before you wreck lives, including your own.
“Kate is missed so, so, so much, every second of the day and night. She just did not deserve it, and neither did we deserve it. All we have left of her are voice notes, pictures, videos and a glass box with her ashes.
“Kate was a bright and funny young girl who lit up every room she walked into. Like so many girls her age, she loved getting her hair and makeup done, going out with friends, and enjoying holidays. She was always the first on the dance floor, lifting everyone’s spirits with her energy.
“She had so much to look forward to, and never thought this would happen to her. Losing her has destroyed our family.
“If you have a daughter, granddaughter, niece, or anyone you adore, tell them, loudly, so they hear you… never get into a car with someone you suspect has been using drugs.
“Cherish the people you love and make safe choices, always.” First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.