Motorist who drove 'like a nutter' after all-day drinking session is jailed for causing death of friend

Lee Hillier told paramedics attending the aftermath of the smash that caused the death of Jason Clarke, 43, he had been drinking all day and consumed 10 pints.

READ MORE: Church foodbank fraudster manager avoids prison time

Cardiff Crown Court heard how the 30-year-old defendant had only just been bailed a few hours before the fatal crash on suspicion of drink driving in the early hours of the morning.

That evening, prosecutor John Ryan said Hillier was driving with four passengers in his Seat Leon on the A469 near the Hengoed Viaduct when he lost control and hit the kerb before crossing to the opposite carriageway, striking an oncoming VW van.

The scene of the crash. Picture: Robert Dorian Barbero

Mr Clarke, a father from Fleur-de-Lys, was in the car with couple Carley Appleton and Granville Vincent, and John Jones, when the crash happened at around 8.20pm on Friday, January 11.

The court heard how homeless Hillier had been living in his Seat car and was "abusing alcohol".

Mr Ryan said he and his passengers had travelled to Hengoed to buy cannabis but had been unsuccessful and were heading back to Mr Clarke’s home when the crash happened.

The prosecutor said that Miss Appleton said Hillier had been driving “like a nutter” and the court heard he was travelling at between 50-60mph in a 40mph zone.

He told the court that Mr Jones had been “egging him on to go faster”.

Mr Ryan said that Hillier told a paramedic treating him that “he had been drinking all day and drank 10 pints”.

The defendant, formerly of Tegfan, Trecenydd, Caerphilly, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Miss Appleton and Mr Vincent.

Miss Appleton suffered a broken leg and ankle and Mr Vincent a fractured arm.

Mr Ryan read a victim personal statement on behalf of Mr Clarke’s father Adrian who was in court.

He said: “This has changed my and my family’s life forever.”

Mr Clarke added: “Jason’s mother lives in a residential home in Tredegar and didn’t attend his funeral because she was too unwell. She was in a state of shock.”

Jeffrey Jones, mitigating, said his client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

His barrister added: "The defendant was homeless and living in a car. He was working in the construction industry, driving dumper trucks.

“He was on a downward spiral and had clearly been foolish, exacerbated by a reliance on alcohol.”

Mr Jones said that Hillier wanted to say sorry to Mr Clarke’s family and to Miss Appleton and Mr Vincent.

Judge Eleri Rees, the Recorder of Cardiff, jailed Hillier for seven years and four months and banned from driving for eight years and 10 months.

Outside the court, Jamie Dewar, a senior crown prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Lee Hillier ignored pleas from his passengers to slow down. 

“The collision which followed had dreadful consequences.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the family and friends of Jason regarding their terrible loss, and we wish Carley and Granville a quick recovery.”