James Gibson: Speeding drug driver jailed after crash killed dad and two-year-old son in Nottinghamshire

A Nottinghamshire drug-driver who killed a two-year-old boy and his father in a crash has been jailed.

John Woodcock, 44, and his son Lewis were travelling home from a family day out when their car was hit by James Gibson in Pleasley on January 15, 2022.

Gibson had taken drugs and had alcohol in his system before driving at speeds of up to 82mph in a 30mph zone.

Caroline Woodcock, wife of John and mother of Lewis, described the pair’s deaths as a “horrific loss”.

Paying tribute to her husband, who was known to family and friends as Dan, and her son, she said: “Now we have finally had the sentencing and this part is over, finally my boys can rest at peace and I and the family can try to build some sort of life.”

Nottinghamshire Police said John and Lewis were travelling along Chesterfield Road North shortly after 6pm when an Audi driven by Gibson hit their vehicle side-on.

The Woodcock’s car flipped in the air and landed wedged between another car and a wall.

Gibson had been driving on the opposite side of the road, undertook vehicles, travelled through a red light, struck a concrete pedestrian crossing and was “consistently” speeding, police said.

The 31-year-old, of Mapletoft Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse, had to be cut from his car by firefighters and had multiple broken bones.

Throughout the investigation, police said Gibson “couldn’t recall what had happened”.

An investigation found he was over the drug-drive limit with cannabis in his system.

Another car travelling behind the pair, which had a family of three inside, was also hit.

They were left with only minor injuries, but “were greatly impacted emotionally at having witnessed the crash and aftermath”, officers said.

Gibson was jailed for 12 years after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on July 24.

He was also banned from driving for 18 years.

Investigator Louise Melbourne of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “No family should ever have to go through what their family has and still goes through daily. And that suffering was completely avoidable.

“[Gibson’s] manner of driving, reaching speeds nearly three times the limit, running a red light, and overtaking cars put countless drivers at risk [and] showed his complete disregard not only for his own safety but innocent members of the public too.”