Jurors at Maidstone Crown Court have heard harrowing evidence about the moments leading up to a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a four-year-old boy. The driver accused of murder, Owen Maughan, allegedly warned the youngster's uncle he was going to "ram them" and declared he did not "give a f***" during a chilling phone call just seconds before the collision.
The Fatal Pursuit on the A2
Owen Maughan, aged 27, and his father Patrick Maughan, 54, are standing trial for the murder of Peter Maughan, who died on June 1 last year. The court heard that the pair had been drinking extensively in Rochester, Kent, with Owen consuming around twelve bottles of beer and Patrick roughly thirteen, before they began tailing a vehicle carrying their relatives.
The family members in the other vehicle were Hayley Maughan, her husband Lovell Mahon who was driving, and their two children: four-year-old Peter and his one-year-old sister Annarica. The pursuit unfolded along the London-bound A2 motorway between Cobham and Northfleet, captured on dashcam footage from three lorries starting at approximately 9:20pm.
The Moment of Impact
Six minutes after the dashcam recording began, Owen Maughan, behind the wheel of a Ford Ranger pick-up truck, allegedly clipped Mr Mahon's vehicle at 60mph. This caused the family's truck to flip violently, ejecting young Peter from the car. The child suffered what were described as "severe and devastating" injuries to his head, chest, and abdomen, and was pronounced dead at Darent Valley Hospital shortly after 10pm.
While Hayley Maughan and her daughter escaped with minor injuries, Lovell Mahon, then 24, sustained multiple fractures and traumatic brain injuries that medical professionals believe will leave him unlikely to ever walk again.
The Ominous Phone Call
Hayley's brother Jason Maughan provided crucial testimony about receiving unexpected messages from Owen via Facebook Messenger just moments before the fatal crash. The messages contained only thumbs-up emojis, sent from someone who wasn't even his Facebook friend. When Jason responded with a question mark and received no reply, he decided to call Owen directly.
That call, phone records show, began at 9:24pm and lasted one minute and 56 seconds. Prosecutors estimate it ended within seven seconds of the collision occurring, with Jason reporting he heard a "clunking noise" before the line disconnected.
"I'm Going to Ram Them"
Giving evidence, Jason Maughan recalled the conversation with vivid clarity, stating he remembered the incident "like it was yesterday." He testified that Owen told him about encountering Hayley and Lovell on the motorway, described them arguing through windows, and then made the chilling threat: "I'm going to ram them."
When prosecutor Richard Jory KC asked Jason about his certainty regarding the word "ram," he responded unequivocally: "No" doubt. Jason further testified that Owen added: "We don't give a f***," to which Jason recalled responding: "Do whatever the f*** you want. F*** off."
Aftermath and Arrests
Following the collision, Owen and Patrick Maughan fled the scene, driving through Longfield to Hextable where they abandoned their Ford Ranger. En route, Patrick allegedly removed the front number plate. Police discovered the vehicle two days later with a pushchair from Mr Mahon's truck still wedged underneath the chassis.
Owen Maughan surrendered to police on June 2, while Patrick was arrested at an address in Maidenhead, Surrey, on June 3. Both defendants, from Hill Rise in Darenth, deny charges of murder.
Complex Legal Positions
Owen Maughan has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Peter Maughan, as well as causing serious injury by dangerous driving and inflicting grievous bodily harm on Lovell Mahon. However, he denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Mahon, plus two offences of attempting to cause GBH with intent regarding Annarica and Hayley Maughan.
Patrick Maughan denies all charges against him, including murder, manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, and multiple GBH offences relating to the three surviving family members. The prosecution contends that while Owen was driving, Patrick was "actively encouraging" his son during the pursuit.
Additional Witness Testimony
Witness Tim Lewis, who was volunteering near the Pepperhill junction of the A2, told the court he briefly saw two vehicles side by side at a roundabout. He heard someone shout "I'm going to sort you out," and approximately fifteen seconds later, heard the sound of a collision followed by a woman's scream. Mr Lewis rushed to assist and alert emergency services, finding Mr Mahon in what he described as a "very critical state" at the roadside.
The court has heard that the two Ford Rangers encountered each other by chance on the A2 that night, having both joined the M2 London-bound at Junction 3 at Blue Bell Hill just five minutes apart. The trial continues as jurors hear further evidence about the events leading to this family tragedy.
