Drivers jailed for smash that injured mother and young son

Business partners Kristian Scrivens and Faisal Butt were both trying to overtake at the same time at excessive speed a Ford Focus on the A460 Cannock Road, Stafford Crown Court heard.

But they collided with each other and then hit the Focus, driven by Jodie Williams, forcing it off the road.

The Focus hit a road sign, came back on to the carriageway and forced again off the road to hit a lamp post and started smoking.

Ms Williams got her young son Charlie out of the wreck as other road users came to their aid.

Miss Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, said Butt was driving an Audi A3 and Scrivens a VW Golf.

One witness saw them overtaking the line of traffic two abreast at a speed of around 60mph.

Butt, aged 29, of Lingfield Avenue, Wolverhampton, was jailed for four months and Scrivens, aged 28, also of Lingfield Avenue was handed a two month prison sentence.

Both admitted a charge of dangerous driving and were also each banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to take an extended driving test.

Recorder Mr John Steel QC told them: "It seems from all the evidence before me that you were racing, or at least trying to overtake each other."

Miss Cortese said that as a result of the accident, on November 18 last year, both Ms Williams and her son suffered whiplash and other injuries, while her car was written off.

In a victim impact statement she said she still has nightmares and flashbacks about the crash.

She said: "I have gone from being a confident driver to being scared to drive. It took 3/4 weeks for my son to recover from the accident."

The court heard that the defendants were owners of a motor business and were on their way to deliver the Audi to a garage in Wolverhampton.

When questioned by the police, Butt said he had tried to steer around the Golf, but admitted he was too close to the Audi.

At the time of the crash, Butt was subject to a suspended four month prison sentence for drugs offences, although having a clean driving record.

Scrivens was of previous good character, also with no motoring offences.

Mr Anthony Bell, defending, said: "This was not a chase, no warnings ignored nor prolonged driving. They are deeply remorseful for what they have done. Both stopped and apologised at the scene. They were not racing, they were certainly too close to the car in front, which left little margin for error."