Midlands death coach pair jailed

Nov 14 2009 by Paul Fulford, Birmingham Mail

A MIDLAND coach driver has been jailed for five years and three months after a court heard that his out-of-control bus killed a couple as it smashed into their car.

Robert Oughton, 53, of Newgate Street, Burntwood, Staffordshire, was sent to prison along with business partner John Lote, 61, of Meadway Street, Burntwood, who was jailed for three years at Leeds Crown Court.

The judge heard that Oughton was driving a coach carrying 45 children and parents of Walsall-based West Midlands Crystalettes marching band when it suffered brake failure on a steep hill near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, in September last year.

The bus crashed into the car, instantly killing Paul and Deborah Clements, from South Yorkshire.

Oughton and Lote, who ran 1-4-You Airports and Coach Travel, based in Burntwood, Staffordshire, both admitted manslaughter due to gross negligence at a previous hearing.

Oughton also admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Richard Mansell QC, prosecuting, said that on September 21 last year Oughton had taken a wrong turn on to a B-road towards Staxton Hill, well-known locally because of its steep gradient and has warning signs and an escape lane because of the dangers

Despite someone on the coach urging him to turn round, Oughton drove on with passengers later saying they could smell burning.