Drink and drug driver sentenced for cyclist's crash death

A drug and drink driver has been sent to a young offenders' institution for seven years after he "drove straight through" a cyclist, killing him in a head-on crash while on the wrong side of the road.

Teddy Picton, who failed his driving test weeks before the collision, had cocaine and alcohol in his blood when he crashed into 72-year-old Brad Craven in Grangetown, Cardiff, on 17 May 2025.

Picton, the son of businessman and hairdresser Ken Picton, had to be told "not to leave the scene" by witnesses, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Judge Paul Hobson said the 20-year-old knew he "should not have been driving".

Picton, of Cog Road, Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, will have to serve two-thirds in custody before being released on licence.

However, the judge said that, due to changes in the law about to come into effect, that could be reduced to half.

Craven, from Cardiff, who was described as a "gentle, caring, thoughtful man", was cycling in a fluorescent orange high-visibility jacket on a regular ride with his brother when he was struck.

The retired social worker was "there to be seen", said prosecutor Daniel Jones.

Picton, who had no licence or insurance, was driving a blue Fiat 500 in the opposite direction "on the wrong side of the road" and did not navigate the bend in front of him.

Picton told police he was behind the wheel because his female passenger, who owned the vehicle, was too "intoxicated".

The judge said Picton had been out drinking and taking cocaine the night before, which was "part of the work culture".

He "drove straight through" Craven and made "no attempt to brake".

The court was told Phillip Craven eventually caught up with his brother to find him lying on the pavement, "gasping and choking on his own blood".

He sustained a fractured skull and died five weeks later at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales while in a coma, missing his wife's funeral.

Victim impact statements were read from his family, including from Phillip, who had since died while on holiday two months ago.

His statement recalled how Picton had showed "no compassion, empathy, responsibility or remorse".

The court was told he failed a roadside breath test and that cocaine was found to be present in his blood.

He admitted causing death by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing and was supported by his family in court for the sentencing case.

His barrister said he was remorseful and "acknowledges the impact it will have on them".

As well as his sentence, he was also disqualified from driving for nine years and eight months.