Driver given maximum jail term after seriously injuring passenger in laughing gas crash

Mason Thornton, from Ingleby Barwick, was driving a car with four other passengers from a party when it was involved in a crash on the A1027 Billingham Interchange in October 2022.

The 21-year-old had inhaled the substance - also known as laughing gas or nos - moment before the crash happened.

One of his passengers, 25-year-old Harlan Moon, now requires life-long care after suffering serious injuries.

Thornton was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and supplying a psychoactive substance and was jailed at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday (Sep 4) for three years and 11 months - the maximum sentence for the crime in law.

Harlan’s father, Allan Moon, said in a victim impact statement read to the court: “On October 23, 2022, everything changed for us and our family. Harlan now requires 24/7 care and still is not home.

“I see my son laid in hospital and looking at him, it’s Harlan but I know that it isn’t my son that I knew before the collision. I struggle to comprehend this and worry that I will not get my son back.

“Harlan had his whole future ahead of him and would often speak about marriage, children and the plans that he had. It was also time for Deb and I to enjoy time together again as a couple, our children were grown up, independent and have their own lives to live.

“This will not happen now, our time will be helping Harlan and hoping that he will recover more and more each day so that he can have quality of life.”

Senior Investigating Officer for Cleveland Police, Inspector Stephen Clyburn, added: “Today has highlighted the tragic consequences of taking nitrous oxide whilst driving; a young man with his whole life ahead of him has been left with serious injuries and will now be in need of life-long care, changing his and his families’ lives forever.

“The aftermath of taking nitrous oxide, which is a class C drug, and driving can be catastrophic and I welcome the sentence handed to Mason Thornton, though this is nothing compared to the life sentence Harlan and his family will now have to suffer.

“I hope this sends a clear message to others, particularly young drivers, that nitrous oxide is like any other drug and if you inhale it at the wheel you take a huge risk with not only your life, but the lives of others. You will be prosecuted and put before the courts.”