Marcus Haynes crash death: Hastings man Christopher Fenton jailed

Christopher Fenton, 40, was over the limit for cannabis when he got behind the wheel of his Audi to go home to his home in Fairlight.

He had also had two pints after work when he drove from Hastings back to the village.

Marcus Haynes was driving with his wife Pamela and son Jeremy in a Citroen Picasso when their vehicle was struck by Fenton at Battery Hill near a junction with Coastguard Lane.

It left Mr Haynes, 65, dead at the scene, and Mrs Haynes was seriously injured and spent months in hospital with broken legs.

At Hove Crown Court Fenton admitted causing death and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Her Honour Judge Christine Laing QC said no sentence she could pass could measure up to the loss felt by the Haynes family as she jailed Fenton for three years and eight months.

Hove Crown Court. Image: Google

In a moving statement read to the court, Mrs Haynes said her husband was much-loved.

She said: “He was a loving husband, father and son. We have all been profoundly affected by his untimely death.

“He was the head of our family, our anchor, our rock.”

Robin Miric, prosecuting, said the horror crash happened on March 6 last year at 6.45pm.

One vehicle was clipped by Fenton’s vehicle, which he claimed then caused him to lose control.

He reached speeds of 76mph on the 60mph limit road.

The Haynes family had travelled from Cheltenham so that Marcus could spread the ashes of his late mother in Sussex as she had wished.

As they were returning home to Gloucestershire their journey turned into a nightmare.

Daniel Frier, defending, said Fenton himself returned back to the scene after fleeing on foot in a panic.

He was brought back by his mother, and then needed an operation in hospital himself for serious damage to his spleen.

It was revealed he was three times the drug-driving limit from cannabis, and was “on the cusp” of the drink-driving alcohol limit.

The scene of the crash in Fairlight caused by dangerous driver Christopher Fenton

Police investigating the crash said it was caused by Fenton’s “inappropriate and excess speed”, and Judge Laing said the drugs and alcohol “impaired” his abilities behind the wheel.

Judge Laing said: “Marcus Haynes was 65 at the time of his death and was much-loved by all his family and friends and was known to all for his helpful, caring nature and great sense of humour.

“After looking after his mother for the last year of her life, he went to scatter her ashes in Sussex at a place important to her.

“Pamela suffered horrific injuries. Her recovery is a testament to the care of the NHS that she survived.

“Their son Jeremy escaped with minor injuries but will undoubtedly suffer the lasting impact of the loss and trauma.”

Fenton, of Lower Waites Lane, Fairlight, was over the drug-driving limit.

Christopher Fenton admitted causing the death of Marcus Haynes and serious injuries to Pamela Haynes by his dangerous drug-driving in Fairlight

“I have little doubt the combination of alcohol and cannabis impaired your ability to drive and control your vehicle,” the judge said.

“You did not set out that night to cause any injuries to anyone. But no case better illustrates the potential consequences of going out to drive in the condition you were in.

“Every one of us who gets behind the wheel bears a heavy responsibility to passengers, other road users and the public.

“If you are not in control of the car it becomes a lethal weapon.”

The judge said Fenton had expressed remorse. He was banned from driving for five years and ten months.

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