Father and son cleared of murder after four-year-old family member killed in Dartford hit-and-run
Owen Maughan, 27, admitted manslaughter while Patrick Maughan, 54, has been found guilty of manslaughter having denied charges
Owen Maughan and his father, Patrick Maughan, of Hill Rise in Darenth, Kent, have been cleared of murder following a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of a four-year-old relative in Dartford, Kent.
The tragic event occurred on New Barn Road on 1st June last year after the pair, who had spent the day drinking in Rochester, engaged in a "high-speed" chase with Owen's cousin Hayley Maughan and her family.
Owen Maughan, 27, admitted to the manslaughter of four-year-old Peter Maughan, who was thrown from the family's truck and killed during the collision.
He also pleaded guilty to seriously injuring Peter's father, Lovell Mahon, who was left paralysed from the waist down following the crash.
Patrick Maughan, 54, who was a passenger in Owen's truck, was found guilty of manslaughter and inflicting grievous bodily harm on Lovell Mahon, having denied all charges.
During the trial, the court heard how the pair had come across the other truck "it seems by chance".
"For reasons that remain unclear, the pair became angry", says Prosecutor Richard Jory KC.
The two Ford Ranger pick-up trucks collided after Owen "chased the family for several miles" along the A2 motorway.
Jurors were informed that, according to proceedings, Owen had called Hayley's brother Jason, threatening to ram the other truck before driving into the wrong lane and clipping the back of the vehicle at 60mph, causing the truck to flip.
Patrick allegedly then removed the registration plate from their vehicle before driving off.
Despite Owen admitting to ramming the vehicle and driving dangerously, he denied intending to cause serious harm to the occupants.
The Judge described the incident as "very serious and upsetting".
Addressing both defendants, he said "it will be, as you know, a lengthy sentence that I am obliged to pass.”
The sentencing of Owen and Patrick Maughan is expected "sooner rather than later", the court heard.