One homeowner fled in his pyjamas, the court was told

09:59, 16 Jul 2025Updated 11:40, 16 Jul 2025

Matthew Cumpsty said he was ‘devastated’ by what happened (Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

A giant tanker ploughed into a row of terrace houses after a smash caused by a Mercedes driver high on cocaine, a court was told.

Matthew Cumpsty, who was at the wheel of his Mercedes E220, tested positive for cocaine at the scene after a police roadside drugs wipe.

The car crashed into a JCB tractor pulling a double-axled tanker containing animal waste. The force of the 6.30am impact on the A51 in Chester on April 1 this year caused the 31-tonne tractor and tanker to career across the road and smash into two houses, destroying their facades.

One householder fled in his pyjamas. One property was subsequently rendered structurally unsafe, but thankfully there were no injuries. When quizzed by police Cumpsty, 52, said he had a ‘comprehensive knowledge’ of the junction and could not recall seeing a red traffic light.

At Chester magistrates’ court Cumpsty, of Oldfield Drive, Great Broughton, Chester, admitted drug driving and dangerous driving. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 16 months.

The tanker in the house(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

Andy Page, prosecuting, said: “The Crown say that Mr Cumpsty was involved in a two-vehicle road traffic collision at the junction of Vicars Cross Road in Chester.

“The two vehicles involved were a Mercedes being driven by Mr Cumpsty and a tractor being driven by a Mr Watt. About 6.30am Mr Watt was travelling on Vicars Cross Road heading from Chester city centre and his tractor was pulling a double-axled trailer along with animal waste.

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“On approaching the junction with Green Lane the traffic light system was showing a green light. As he proceeded through the junction, Mr Cumpsty’s Mercedes drove out from Green Lane and there was a collision. As a result the tractor was sent across to the other side of the carriage way and into the two houses.

He admitted the charges he faced(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

“A witness driving behind the tractor said the Mercedes emerged from Green Lane and collided with the tractor. He said Mr Watt’s tractor bounced down the road before colliding with two houses. The light for Mr Watt was clearly green.”

A subsequent blood test showed Cumpsty had 65 micrograms of Benzoylecgonine (BZE), the breakdown product of cocaine, per litre present in his blood. The legal limit is 50mcg/l.

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Both Cumpsty and the driver of the tractor were treated in hospital as a precautionary measure, but were later discharged.

Representing himself Cumpsty said he was ‘devastated’ at what had happened. “I would just like to say I have never been in trouble before,” he added.

He was also ordered to pay £199 in costs and a surcharge.

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