Drug dealer left three men for dead after crash in Eastbourne

Drug dealer Robbie Cook admitted causing the crash in Decoy Drive, Eastbourne, after the £3,500 worth of cannabis he thought he was buying turned out to be M&S popcorn.

The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of causing death by dangerous driving after the car he was chasing smashed into a tree.

Cook left 21-year-old Daniel Davies, 32-year-old Jonny Day and 36-year-old Jon ‘Tommy’ Miller to die after searching their car for drugs and money following the crash on February 13, 2023.

The three men died at the scene.

Cook fled the scene and married his fiancée on Valentine's Day the next morning.

Lewes Crown Court heard Cook told police despite noticing signs of life in the car, he failed to dial 999.

Crash investigators said it would have been obvious there was very serious or fatal injuries to all three men.

Robbie Cook has been jailed (Image: Sussex Police) Emergency services were called more than half an hour later after Cook arranged a friend to make up a story for police.

Cook was arrested on February 17 after police traced the owner of a numberplate found at the scene.

Judge Christine Laing KC told Cook: "You were determined to recover either your money or drugs at all costs as you chased them down as relentlessly as you did.

"Your first thoughts were all for yourself."

Cook admitted he was involved in drug dealing.

"Your car headlights were illuminating the scene of the crash," the judge said.

"You would have been well able to see the state all three men were in.

"You heard them moaning and groaning.

"When emergency services arrived more than an hour later, Mr Davies would only just have died."

The three men had driven to Eastbourne, from Wokingham, Berkshire, in a Citroen Berlingo to do the drug deal with Cook and another man who has never been identified.

Lewes Crown Court heard the £3,500 worth of cannabis Cook expected to buy turned out to be M&S popcorn.

Cook had previous convictions for burglary and drug dealing, the court heard.

Cook, of Croxden Way, Eastbourne, admitted chasing the Citroen Berlingo in a borrowed Range Rover.

Beverly Cripps for the prosecution told the court crash investigators had found fresh scuff marks on the vehicles indicating there had been a collision during the high speed chase.

The Berlingo was thought to have been travelling at around 74mph through residential streets in Eastbourne.

Cook, who knew the road layout, slowed down before a junction where he knew there were speed bumps, the court heard.

Jonny Day, who was driving the Berlingo, lost control of the car after hitting the bumps at speed.

The Berlingo hit a large tree, causing fatal injuries to all three men.

Cook hung his head as family members read emotional victim statements.

He was jailed for 18 years at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, November 22, for each death by dangerous driving conviction, to be served concurrently.

Cook was also given an eight-month sentence for perverting the course of justice after the court heard he destroyed his phone to conceal evidence.