A lorry driver who crashed into a school mini bus, after using his mobile phone at the wheel, has been jailed for a total of eight years and ten months, for killing a boy and his teaching assistant.

James Majury, 33, of Milton Road, Coppull, Chorley, was given the sentence today after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and a further five counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Preston Crown Court heard how Majury drove his 19 tonne Mercedes HGV into the back of a school mini bus at 50mph resulting in the deaths of 14-year-old Joe Cairns and teaching assistant Anne Kerr, 50.

Five others; the driver of the mini bus and three teenage passengers, as well as the driver of a Ford Transit van, all suffered multiple serious injuries in the seven-car collision which happened on the M58 close to junction 3 at Bickerstaffe.

The court heard how Majury reacted just half a second before the collision hitting the stationary Vauxhall Vivaro mini bus, containing Anne and Joe, who died at the scene on Tuesday January 8th 2019.

Mobile phone records showed that Majury had been looking at Facebook and fantasy game Hustle Castle, in the moments before the collision, which happened around 8.45am. It also documents views on the SkySports app, and a series of text messages being sent and received throughout his journey.

The court heard how Majury received his last text message at 8.41am, from his mother, which he admitted to looking down, away from the road, to view. He said it was then, when he looked back up, that he discovered he was within 12 metres away from the mini bus, which was stationary in a queue of traffic. Majury said he attempted to brake but was unable to avoid the collision.

Joe, from Radcliffe, Bury, was on his way to Pontville School for students with special educational needs in Ormskirk, Lancashire when the collision took place.

In a tribute Joe’s mum Steph said: “Joe really liked going to school with Anne. Every day he liked to take with him a pug teddy, and his big red blanket and sit on the back seat. I always used to stand and wave him off and tell him I loved him.
“I miss my little boy every minute of every day. I feel useless now he’s not here anymore because he was my world. I always thought he needed me because of his special needs but it turned out I needed him way more.
“It’s ripped me apart and the only thing that keeps me going are my three other beautiful children. I cry every day thinking about Joe. He’s constantly on my mind, I miss his humour and his company. I think about him laughing because it was so infectious and made me smile, he made everybody smile. He was our hero.”
Anne, from Southport accompanied Joe on his journey to school each morning. In a tribute her husband Simon, said: “During Anne’s working day we would keep in regular contact with text messages and when I didn’t hear back from her on that morning, I knew in the back of my mind that something was wrong. We shared that connection that people who love each other have, call it instinct or something, it’s hard to explain. But I just knew something was very wrong.

“Anne was my rock. The emptiness I, and our two sons, feel around the house is overwhelming. All our plans for the future and our retirement were taken away on that cold January morning on the M58. I wake some nights and it takes me a few seconds to realise why Anne is a not lying next to me, in those seconds I hope that her death was just a nightmare.

“Anne was a young 50 and in good health, she should have had many years ahead of her."

Inspector Claire Pearson from Lancashire Road Policing Unit said: “I felt quite strongly that there was significant evidence that showed a pattern of behaviour which saw Majury use his phone from the start of the journey up to the point of collision that I find completely unacceptable. In my mind there's no question that driving a 19 tonne HGV at 56 miles an hour, whilst not fully concentrating on what's happening in front of you, is extremely dangers. He didn’t set out that morning to kill anyone but due to his recklessness that is sadly what has happened.

“Joe and Anne’s families can't bring their loved ones back but what they have asked is that people listen to what has happened here and learn that it is never safe to use a phone whilst you're driving. So, if you are ever tempted to check your phone while driving, even for a second, think of Joe and Anne, and don’t do it. Just one glance can mean the loss of a life.”

At Preston Crown Court today (Friday, August 7th) Majury was given a sentence of eight years and 10 months for the death by dangerous driving offences and two years and eight months for the causing serious injury offences, to run concurrently.

8 years for taking the lives of 2 people because he was using his mobile phone? He’ll be out in a little over 4. Pathetic. Not much of a deterrent. If you’re caught using your phone whilst driving it should be a mandatory 2 year ban.

As well as a fine. The phone should be confiscated perminatly.