|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
UK: Cannabis 'turned Dad Into A Killer'
Daily Record
Friday 03 Feb 2006 A JUDGE yesterday blamed cannabis for turning a young dad into a psychotic killer. David Whitnall, 26, was jailed for six years for causing a mum's death by dangerous driving after his regular use of the class C drug was linked to his mental illness. A court heard how Whitnall, who has a five-year-old son, killed a woman and seriously injured her husband after ramming their car. Whitnall reached speeds of 130mph while steering his sports car with his knees. He was hallucinating when he ploughed into Gordon and Susan Legg after weaving in and out of traffic for 50 miles, Leeds Crown Court heard. The couple were on holiday, travelling on the M62 near Selby, Yorkshire, when Whitnall hit them from behind. Their small Fiat was shunted 200 yards before crashing into the central reservation and being hit by three more cars. Mum-of-three Susan, 48, died at the scene while Gordon, 50, spent four weeks fighting for life. Whitnall, who runs his own car spray painting business in Manchester, escaped unscathed and was arrested at the scene while still acting erratically. A bag of skunk marijuana was found stuffed down his jeans. The court heard how a large amount of cannabis was still in his bloodstream and he was a heavy, habitual and long-term drug user. Judge James Stewart said it was clear Whitnall's drug use had caused the tragedy. He added: "This case provides strong evidence of a link between heavy and prolonged cannabis abuse and mental illness."
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!