The man tragically died at the scene
Following a deadly incident in Brimpton Common, near Kingsclere, that claimed the life of a man, an intoxicated motorist was given an eight-year term. At Winchester Crown Court, 24-year-old Jake Calow of Broad Street, Syston, Leicestershire, was found guilty of killing Patrick Shortt.
The 24-year-old was found guilty in court of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, causing death while driving without insurance, and aggravated vehicle taking. The court was also told that the defendant had spent several hours that evening drinking at The Bel and Dragon on Swan Street in Kingsclere. Subsequently, he bought further booze from a nearby store before he drove a colleague’s white Ford Transit vehicle without authorisation.
Calow was involved in a head-on collision with a blue Volkswagen Caddy at the intersection of Hockford Lane and the B3051 in Brimpton Common at approximately 8:10 p.m. Patrick Shortt, 58, of Woodley, Reading, was the passenger in the Volkswagen; he passed away at the spot, and the driver was hospitalised due to severe injuries.
Oliver McGowan, 24, of Fletcher’s Way in East Goscote, Leicestershire, was Calow’s lone passenger. After being transferred to the hospital, Calow had his blood examined. Calow’s blood sample results showed a blood alcohol content of no less than 38 mg/100 ml; however, after doing a back calculation, it was discovered that his blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was actually closer to 129 mg/100 ml, which would have been much higher than the 80 mg/100 ml legal limit.
McGowan received a sentence for one count of aggravated vehicle taking in addition to Calow’s sentence. He received a sentence of 12 months, suspended for two years, 250 hours of unpaid labour, and a three-month curfew.
“Calow should never have been driving that evening,” stated Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit Detective Constable Lyndsey Blackaby. Despite his intoxication, he foolishly took a van’s wheel.
His completely careless acts caused a man to pass away, devastating his family, and injuring another, potentially permanently affecting their quality of life. We hope Patrick’s family may begin to heal now that justice has been served. Our thoughts and prayers are still with them.
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