Louth driver admits failing to stop after collision
A MAN who drove his car into the window of a town centre shop and ran off, has escaped an immediate driving ban.
Kieran Richard Thomas, 28, of Eastgate, Louth, admitted careless driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
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Skegness magistrates heard he was seen on CCTV cameras at 8.30pm on February 7, stopping his BMW outside an off-licence, returning to his vehicle and driving up Eastgate.
He hit the kerb and then the window of Eve and Ranshaw, causing £7,500 worth of damage.
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Witnesses said the car's engine was revving loudly and was being driven very fast prior to the accident.
The court heard that the driver got out of the car, pulled up the hood on his grey top and ran off.
When one asked him if he was going to stay at the scene, he said he was "going to get the police".
Police attended and then went to his home, but he was not there.
Thomas later went to the police station and told them he had not been driving and had not driven the car for a month.
He was seen again in March after the CCTV images had been acquired and he denied being the man in the photographs.
He continued to deny he was driving the car at the time of the accident.
After first appearing in court, he admitted failing to stop at the scene, but denied careless driving.
In mitigation, Dave Clapham said on the night of February 7 the roads were icy.
"We don't know if he was speeding or not," he said, "but on that night he was driving inappropriately for the conditions and so he pleads guilty to careless driving."
He said Thomas had never had a driving conviction and failed to stop at the scene because of his previous dealings with the police.
The magistrates ordered Thomas to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work for the community and put nine penalty points on his licence. He was also ordered to pay £100 in court costs.
Comments
by daveyw
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 3:55PM
“he got a right result there. laughing stock british justice again.”
by MatQuinn
Sunday, September 30 2012, 11:28AM
“But Markus, how can you prove, beyond reasonable doubt he was over the limit if the reading of him over is unavailable?
What I don't get is as you've stated, he's admitted causing the £7k damages, but not made to pay them? Backwards Britain.”
by markus250666
Sunday, September 30 2012, 10:09AM
“So let me get this right, the man was drunk behind the wheel of the bmw, crashed into a shop, man does a runner to avoid been breathalised. (last place he would go would be his home address) to avoid capture and arrested for drink driving. man later attends police station once the alcohol has dropped below the legal limit. man gets charged with careless driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. he then gets slapped with 9 points and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work. and not ordered to pay 7k for the shop damage.
justice system gone soft at the knee's yet again.”