Father and Son 'In a Fury' During Fatal A2 Motorway Chase
A father and son were described as being 'in a fury' during a road chase that culminated in a catastrophic crash, claiming the life of a four-year-old boy, a court has heard. Owen Maughan, aged 27, and his father Patrick Maughan, 54, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today, facing charges related to the murder of young Peter Maughan on June 1 last year.
Day Drinking Preceded Erratic Driving Incident
Prosecutor Richard Jory KC outlined to the jury that the pair had been day drinking in Rochester, Kent, before Owen began driving them home in a Ford Ranger pick-up truck. During their journey on the A2 motorway, they encountered Owen's cousin, Hayley, travelling in a second pick-up truck with her partner Lovell Mahon at the wheel. The vehicle also carried their children: four-year-old Peter and his one-year-old sister, Annarica.
The court was told: 'For reasons that weren't and aren't clear, Owen and Patrick were or became very angry and seemingly expressed that anger towards the occupants of the vehicle.' As they shouted abuse, Owen's driving became erratic, with the pair pursuing the family for several miles along the A2.
Chase Escalates to Fatal Collision
As both vehicles exited the A2 at Pepper Hill near Northfleet, Mr Jory stated: 'Whatever the reason, Owen and Patrick were clearly, we would say, in a fury. Very angry at the occupants of Lovell's vehicle.' In a chilling development, Owen reportedly called Hayley's brother Jason to declare his intention to ram the other truck.
Driving into the wrong lane, Owen clipped the back of the family's vehicle at approximately 60 miles per hour. The impact caused their truck to roll over multiple times. Shockingly, Patrick and Owen Maughan then drove away from the scene, pausing only for Patrick to remove the registration plate from their vehicle.
Emergency Response and Legal Proceedings
Police were alerted to the incident around 9:30 pm on June 1. All three victims from the same vehicle were transported to hospital. Mr Jory informed jurors that while the prosecution considers this a 'slightly unusual' case, it constitutes murder—a charge both defendants deny.
Owen Maughan has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Peter Maughan, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and inflicting grievous bodily harm upon Mr Mahon. 'It means Owen accepts he deliberately rammed the other vehicle, and he accepts he drove his vehicle dangerously,' Mr Jory explained. 'He disputes he intended to cause any injury to any of the occupants.'
Patrick Maughan contests any allegation of encouraging or assisting his son during the incident. The central issue of the trial will focus on their state of mind at the time of the catastrophic events. The legal proceedings continue as the court examines the tragic circumstances surrounding this devastating loss of young life.
