Former Magistrate Convicted Over 'Terrible' Head-On Collision
A former magistrate has been found guilty of dangerous driving after causing what a judge described as a 'terrible' head-on crash that left another motorist with severe, life-altering injuries. The collision occurred when Jacquelin Curtis, 62, is believed to have momentarily dozed off at the wheel.
Horrific Injuries and Lasting Consequences
The court heard that Susan Richards, the victim of the crash, suffered horrific injuries including:
- Fractures to her spine, skull, patella and foot
- A small brain bleed
- Seatbelt-related injuries
- A dislocation alongside the foot fracture
In a powerful victim impact statement, Miss Richards described how her quality of life has been severely and permanently reduced. She revealed she now struggles daily with anger, confusion and forgetfulness as a result of the brain injury, and her mobility has been permanently affected.
The Fateful Journey and Collision Details
The incident occurred at 7.08am on July 20, 2022, on the A696 at Capheaton in Northumberland. Curtis had been driving a Ford Galaxy after travelling through the night from Kent, where she owned a nursery, to Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. She had shared the driving with her former police officer husband.
Judge Tom Moran noted that Curtis had delayed setting off on what was 'the hottest day the country has experienced for many years', meaning the couple drove overnight when temperatures were lower. As Curtis went round a sweeping bend on the single carriageway road with a 60mph speed limit, her car crossed slowly into the oncoming lane and directly into the path of Miss Richards' Vauxhall.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Despite denying she had fallen asleep, Curtis was found guilty by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Judge Moran stated that 'the overwhelming likelihood is you momentarily fell asleep' and that Curtis had 'clung onto' alternative 'improbable theories' about what happened.
The 62-year-old, who previously served as a magistrate in both Northumberland and Kent, was sentenced to:
- Two years imprisonment, suspended for two years
- 200 hours of unpaid work
- £4,000 in costs
- A four-year driving ban
Victim's Ongoing Struggle
Miss Richards provided harrowing details of her ongoing suffering, explaining that a first operation on her knee failed and she then suffered an allergic reaction to medication. She now lives in fear of falling, is unable to enjoy long walks as she once did, and is afraid to go out in snowy or icy conditions.
She also revealed the personal tragedy that compounded her suffering: 'I used to be a support worker for a severely disabled man and had been so for 15 years. However he died while I was recovering and I never got to say goodbye.'
Defence and Judicial Comments
Rhys Rosser, defending, told the court that Curtis has also suffered mentally and physically as a result of the crash, having to use a wheelchair for months and now being able to stand for only around two hours at a time because of 'all the metalwork in her leg'.
Judge Moran emphasised that this case serves as 'a salutary lesson for all motorists', demonstrating that it's possible to fall asleep very quickly at unexpected times, even on roads where one might not anticipate such risks and despite taking some preventive measures.
The judge noted that Curtis's previous role as a magistrate had no bearing on the sentence, and the court heard she has no previous convictions and is genuinely upset and remorseful. The victim will be entitled to substantial damages through other means.
