Oxford Hit and Run Driver Jailed 6 Years After 87 Day Thailand Fugitive Run
An Oxford man who fled the UK for Thailand has been sentenced to four years in prison for a hit and run that left a woman with life changing injuries, despite remaining at large.
Jordan Marks, 34, of Stone Meadow in Oxford, was convicted in his absence at Oxford Crown Court after failing to return to face trial.
The court heard that Marks had been required to attend proceedings as a witness in connection with the murder of Tobias Bruce, who was killed in Littlemore in February 2024. However, Marks had already fled to Thailand, prompting the issue of an arrest warrant.
The case before the court related to an earlier incident on March 6, 2021, when Marks drove a Vauxhall Corsa into Carole Steele in Great Clarendon Street in the Jericho area of Oxford and then drove away from the scene.
Oxford hit and run driver
Marks denied causing serious injury by dangerous driving but was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict. He was also given a seven year driving ban. Sentencing took place on the same day as the verdict, with nine jurors remaining in court to witness the outcome.
Judge Maria Lamb told the jury that Marks had chosen to absent himself from the proceedings, but that the trial would continue in his absence. The prosecution was led by Mike Hollis, with Lyall Thompson representing the defence.
During sentencing, Mr Hollis read a victim personal statement from Carole Steele.
“I was the victim of a hit and run,” the statement said. “The emotional trauma is immeasurable. I have feelings of fear, anxiety and depression. I was stripped of the ability to perform everyday tasks and it has deprived me of my ability to enjoy long walks.”
Mr Hollis told the court that Mrs Steele still suffers from anxiety when crossing the road and lives with constant knee pain. She spent a month in hospital following the collision and required the use of a wheelchair.
“The impact has been long term and enduring,” he said. “Mr Marks chose to continue driving after the collision. That decision was compounded by the speed at which he was travelling. He had time to stop if he wanted to. Ignoring the rules of the road was a deliberate choice.”
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Mr Thompson told the court that Marks had been in Thailand for almost two years and acknowledged the seriousness of the case.
“Mrs Steele has the sympathy of everyone in court,” he said. “In my submission, the principal cause of the collision was the driver of the white van. There is very little I can say in mitigation.”
Passing sentence, Judge Lamb said the consequences of the collision were devastating.
“This incident caused permanent and irreversible injuries,” she said. “They have been devastating for the victim. Had the defendant been driving more slowly, he would have had time to see Mrs Steele, who was clearly visible.”
The jury also heard evidence from witness Gary Sale, who was at a nearby park at the time of the collision.
“I said to my wife, whoever just got hit is very dead,” he told the court. “We saw the car hit Carole.”
Marks remains at large and is subject to an outstanding arrest warrant.
