Drug link to road rage death denied

Events surrounding the death of a couple killed in a road rage incident
took a new twist with allegations of a possible drugs link. Toby Exley's
family confirmed that he had a drugs conviction, but, as Kathy Marks
reports, they believe it played no part in his death.

Toby Exley, who died with his girlfriend, Karen Martin, when their car was
rammed into the path of another vehicle, had a conviction for possession of
drugs, his family said yesterday.

However, the family said in a statement that it was "disgusted" by
allegations in yesterday's newspapers that Mr Exley was a dealer.

"Toby's offence was a oneoff mistake," the statement said. He had "no
connection with drug warlords or barons", nor had he sold drugs to young
people, as alleged.

"Toby was killed, murdered by a raged madman," the family said. "It was not
provoked."

The statement was in reponse to reports yesterday that Mr Exley, 22, had
been convicted of dealing and could have been targeted by an angry
customer. Scotland Yard refused to discuss the reports and said detectives
were following numerous lines of enquiry.

Ms Martin's father, John, said that he had known of Mr Exley's conviction,
but had been told by police that they were satisfied that there was no link
with the incident.

The couple were killed two weeks ago when their Ford Fiesta was forced
across the central reservation of the A316, in Hanwell, west London, where
it was hit by a Vauxhall Cavalier. Police are searching for the car that
rammed them from behind.

According to the News of the World, Mr Exley, from Teddington, Middlesex,
was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court last year of possessing Ecstasy,
cannabis and amphetamines with intent to supply. He was fined £210 and
placed on probation for two years.

The newspaper alleged that he continued to supply drugs and quoted
"underworld sources" as saying that he had made enemies by "cutting" the
cocaine that he sold. Police have said they believe that Mr Exley's car was
hit because the motorist behind was irritated that he was driving too
slowly.