Father and son ‘downed 25 beers then killed cousin, 4, in 60mph automobile smash’, courtroom instructed
Patrick Maughan, 54, and Owen Maughan, 27, are accused of murdering Peter Maughan in Dartford, Kent, after necking 25 beers and chasing down their family members in a high speed motorway pursuit
Peter Maughan, 4(Image: Facebook)
A father and son downed 25 beers and then chased and rammed their family member’s truck which killed their four-year-old cousin, a court heard.
Owen Maughan, 27, and Patrick Maughan, 54, are accused of murdering their cousin Peter Maughan, 4. Owen and his father had been drinking in the Jolly Knight pub and City Wall wine bar in Rochester, Kent before the fatal car collision on 1 June last year.
A jury at Maidstone Crown Court heard Owen had around 12 bottles of beer and Patrick had roughly 13 before Owen got behind the wheel of a Ford Ranger pick-up truck.
They then spotted Owen’s cousin, Hayley, travelling in a second pick-up truck being driven by her partner Lovell Mahon down the A3.
The couple’s children, Peter, four, and his sister, Annarica, who was one at the time, were inside. The father and son became angry after spotting their family members while on the road and started to chase the vehicle while yelling abuse at the family.
Prosecutor Richard Jory KC told the court: “For reasons that weren’t and aren’t clear, Owen and Patrick were or became very angry and seemingly expressed that anger towards the occupants of the vehicle.”
While the chase was underway Hayley filmed video clips of the pair following her and even sent a voice recording to her mother, Erica, telling her she was afraid.
Mr Jory told the court during the chase Mr Mahon told the father son duo there were children in the car and offered to travel to the Maughan’s house to resolve the issue. Jurors were told during the chase Owen called Hayley’s brother Jason telling him he was going to ram the other truck with the family inside.
Owen then drove into the wrong lane of traffic hitting the back of the family vehicle and causing it to flip over., the court heard. As a result of the crash Peter was thrown out of the vehicle and died from “severe and devastating injuries” to his head, chest and abdomen. Jurors were told Mr Mahon had serious injuries including a skull fracture and it is unlikely he will walk again.
Mr Jory said: ‘Whatever the reason Owen and Patrick were clearly, we would say, in a fury.” He added: “Very angry at the occupants of Lovell’s vehicle.”
Patrick and Owen both deny murder. Owen has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and inflicting grievous bodily harm.
Mr Jory said: ‘It means Owen accepts he deliberately rammed the other vehicle, and he accepts he drove his vehicle dangerously. He disputes he intended to cause any injury to any of the occupants.” Patrick disputes encouraging or assisting his son.
The trial continues.
