A Kent jury has heard harrowing details of a road rage incident that culminated in the death of a four-year-old boy, with a father and son now standing trial for murder. The tragic events unfolded on June 1 last year, following a day of heavy drinking by the accused.
Drinking Session Precedes Fatal Confrontation
Owen Maughan, 27, and his father Patrick Maughan, 54, had spent the day consuming alcohol at establishments in Rochester, Kent. According to prosecutor Richard Jory KC, Owen Maughan consumed approximately twelve bottles of beer, while Patrick Maughan drank around thirteen pints at the Jolly Knight pub and City Wall wine bar.
Owen Maughan was driving them home in a Ford Ranger pick-up truck when they encountered his cousin Hayley travelling along the A2 motorway. Hayley was a passenger in a second pick-up truck driven by her partner, Lovell Mahon, with their children Peter, aged four, and his then one-year-old sister Annarica Maughan also in the vehicle.
Road Rage Erupts Into Dangerous Pursuit
The court heard that for reasons that remain unclear, Owen and Patrick Maughan became "very angry" towards the occupants of the other vehicle. As they shouted abuse, Owen's driving became erratic, initiating a chase that continued for several miles down the A2.
Hayley Maughan filmed video clips of the pursuing vehicle and left a voice note for her mother expressing her fear. She later described the situation as having been "ready to explode", according to evidence presented to the court.
Deliberate Ramming at High Speed
As both vehicles left the A2 at Pepper Hill near Northfleet, the pursuit intensified. Mr Jory told the jury that Owen and Patrick Maughan were "clearly, we would say, in a fury" and "very angry at the occupants" of the other truck.
Despite Lovell Mahon attempting to de-escalate the situation by stating there were children in the car and offering to resolve matters at the Maughans' house, the chase continued. Owen Maughan reportedly called Hayley's brother Jason to declare his intention to ram their vehicle.
The prosecutor described how Owen Maughan then drove into the wrong lane and clipped the back of the family's truck at approximately 60mph. Mr Jory characterised this action as "a deliberate ramming at high speed" and stated that Owen had "used his car as a weapon to ram the other vehicle off the road".
Aftermath of the Catastrophic Crash
The family's vehicle rolled over following the impact. Peter Maughan was thrown from the truck and sustained severe and devastating injuries to his head, chest, and abdomen. Medical evidence indicated there was no chance of survival even with immediate medical intervention.
Lovell Mahon suffered serious injuries including a skull fracture, with medical prognosis suggesting he is unlikely to ever walk again. Following the collision, Owen and Patrick Maughan drove away from the scene, pausing only for Patrick to remove the registration plate from their vehicle.
In a bizarre detail, a buggy from the family's truck became jammed under the Maughans' vehicle and remained there until it was eventually parked.
Legal Proceedings and Pleas
Both defendants, of Hill Rise in Darenth, Kent, have pleaded not guilty to murder. However, Owen Maughan has admitted to the manslaughter of Peter Maughan, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and inflicting grievous bodily harm on Lovell Mahon.
Mr Jory explained that this plea means Owen Maughan accepts he deliberately rammed the other vehicle and drove dangerously, but "disputes he intended to cause any injury to any of the occupants". Patrick Maughan denies encouraging or assisting his son during the incident.
The prosecutor told jurors that the main issue in the case will be determining the defendants' state of mind at the time of the fatal confrontation. The trial at Maidstone Crown Court has been adjourned until Tuesday as proceedings continue.
