Zoe Graham, the wife of singer Rag'n'Bone Man, has been spared jail after crashing her Range Rover into a family who were still grieving the death of their husband and father. The collision occurred in August 2023 on a stretch of road in East Sussex that a judge described as dangerous.
Crash Details
Graham, 38, was rushing to pick up her sons from school when she attempted to overtake a tractor. She lost control of her vehicle and struck a Ford containing Samantha Keen and her three children at 50mph. The family's car ended up on a grassy verge.
Ms Keen lost consciousness immediately after the crash. In court, she recounted begging off-duty paramedics who rushed to the scene to save her life, pleading with them not to leave her children without both parents. Her eldest child asked, 'Is mummy going where daddy is?'
Injuries and Aftermath
Ms Keen suffered a broken ankle, facial scarring, and injuries to her hip, leg, and ribs. She required an ankle boot and crutches for months and continues to take anti-migraine medication. Her children sustained cuts and bruises but have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and now struggle to enter a car.
In her victim impact statement, Ms Keen said: 'They thought they were going to lose their only living parent. We had to cancel our holiday, losing our deposits. I was too injured to look after the children. I've been left with physical and mental injuries and have had to give up kick-boxing and other sports. My car, which is the only expensive thing I owned which I bought with the little I got after my husband died, is wrecked.'
Court Proceedings
Graham wept in court as she expressed remorse. She said: 'I am very sorry. Because what we, my children and I went through - nine years of domestic violence and my ex would make me late. I was a little bit late to pick my boys up and they suffer from anxiety. I indicated and I hit her. I've never hurt anyone in my life and never would.'
Judge Rennie sentenced Graham to a 12-week suspended prison sentence, stating: 'I accept this is wholly out of character. All this was avoidable if you had driven in the way you were supposed to. I'm going to put you out of your misery, you're not going to prison today. This is a horrendous case where two families have been left traumatised by events... If you breach the suspended sentence you could be sending yourself to prison.'
Background
Graham met Rag'n'Bone Man, whose real name is Rory Graham, six years ago while working at a cafe. They married the following year. The singer has not publicly commented on the crash.
