A woman suffered life-changing injuries after a drug driver failed to safely secure farm equipment on his lorry.

Ashley Sceal was responsible for transporting the tractor and machinery which was loaded on to a flatbed trailer at Lewes Road, Blackboys, near Uckfield.

But the machinery detached from the vehicle and headed into the path of an oncoming driver.

In the serious collision which followed, a 61-year-old woman from Heathfield sustained life-changing injuries.

She said it caused her “months of hell” and has had a devastating impact on her physical and mental health.

MOST READ:

​To have access to all of our best stories subscribe to The Argus using our special offer here

A collision report found that Sceal’s lorry was not safe to be on the road.

At Lewes Crown Court on December 4, the 31-year-old admitted causing serious injuries by dangerous driving.

The Argus: Ashley ScealAshley Sceal (Image: Sussex Police)

He was jailed for two years and was disqualified from driving for three years.

The court was told how Sceal, formerly a haulier of Osborne Road, Crowborough, was driving the lorry on September 12, 2022.

At 8pm, the machinery he was transporting became detached.

It fell into the path of an oncoming motorist, giving her no time to react.

Sceal was found to be over the drug-driving limit for benzoylecgonine (a cocaine body-breakdown product), with 168 microgrammes (uhg) found per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50uhg per litre of blood.

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Dave Symonds from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “All drivers of heavy goods vehicles must ensure that loads are securely attached.

“This collision was easily avoidable, but Sceal failed to meet that basic requirement. He was fortunate not to have killed the victim or other road users in this case.

“It highlights the need for all drivers to be considerate of the risks and to follow safety steps to help prevent causing such devastating consequences.”