Van driver killed work colleague in Midland crash after pub visit then fled scene

A van driver from Staffordshire has been found guilty of killing a work colleague in a crash following a visit to a pub. Carl Sargeant went to a pub in Stone for a drink with fellow security staff workers, including Martyn Ball, after a shift on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29, 2022.

The group left the pub at 3.40am, Sargeant in his LDV Maxus van and Ball riding a blue Yamaha motorbike. But Sargeant ignored a one-way road and took a shortcut onto Newcastle Road.

As he joined the A34 in Tittensor he hit Ball’s motorbike near to Winghouse Lane who was in front of him, sending him into the central reservation. Sargeant failed to stop at the scene. Ball, who was 30, died as a result of his injuries six days later on Sunday, September 4.

Read more: First picture of 'gentle giant' killed in Rugely crash as family pay tribute

Prosecutor Tom Kenning read out heart-wrenching victim statements from Mr Ball’s family at the sentencing hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (December 13) our sister title Stoke-on-Trent Live reports. His mum, Lynne Ball, said she felt she had ‘aged 100 years since Martyn’s death: “I feel great sadness most of the time. I feel that part of my heart has been torn out.

“He was so kind to his friends and work colleagues. It is so quiet in our house now without Martyn. There are so many things that he never got to experience. I feel lonely all the time, even if I am in a room full of people.

“Most of all I feel an intense guilt that I could not protect or save Martyn. The stress of all this has caused me to lose 75 per cent of my hair. I feel as if I have aged 100 years.”

While Martyn’s sister, Rachel Ball, said: “Since my brother has passed my life has felt like I am in a living hell. The joy and happiness in life I used to feel isn't the same any more. I am constantly aching for him to appear. My heart is broken."

Mr Kenning said as well as leaving the scene the offence was aggravated as Sargeant’s vehicle was poorly maintained and had no speedometer’. Although there was no evidence those defects contributed to the fatal crash.

Paul Cliff, mitigating, said: “It is unfortunate and true that Sargeant did not remain at the scene. But people were there when he was taken to hospital.” He said Sargeant is a security worker at festivals and events across the country and has settled accommodation and a supportive partner. He requested a suspended sentence despite the severity of the incident.

Read more: Milk lorry driver fights for life after crash with van and tree

Judge Kristina Montgomery KC said: “Martyn Ball's family have written moving statements to the court about their loss. The sentence cannot seek to quantify their pain and it certainly doesn't try to compensate for their loss. That is immeasurable. Any sentence of the court cannot come close to meeting it.

“Martyn Ball was riding his motorcycle. You were in your van. You and he were travelling in convoy. He was at the front and he was riding in a way which was not of itself entirely safe. I accept he was driving his motorcycle across the road in front of your van and I have concluded you were frustrated by that behaviour and you went to overtake him and leave him behind you.

“But in doing so you travelled too close to him, particularly given the way he was riding and the unpredictability of his actions, and you caught his motorcycle and caused him to crash. You did not remain at the scene. It may have been you did not know he was fatally injured but he was a vulnerable road user.

“I do not find genuine remorse for your actions because although you are sorry that he lost his life, and I have no doubt about that, you do not accept responsibility for your actions in the way that true remorse demands. But I do accept that you have a learning difficulty and that has perhaps impacted on your decision making.”

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

Sargeant who was previously found guilty of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving by a jury at Stafford Crown Court avoided a jail term at the sentencing hearing. The 45-year-old, of Hollings Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, received a one-year jail term, suspended for two years at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (December 13).

He was also given a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay a surcharge of £1,200. Sargeant was also banned from driving for two years and must take an extended retest.

Sergeant Rich Moors, from Staffordshire Police's serious collision investigation unit, said: “My thoughts and condolences are still very much with Mr Ball’s family following the conclusion of this investigation today. This goes to show how much poor driving can devastate families and the lives of those involved.

“Officers across Staffordshire are working hard each and every day to target those putting themselves and others at risk on our road networks as proactively and effectively as possible.”