Learner driver in crash guilt

A learner driver caused £9,000 of damage when he crashed into the front of a chartered accountants in St Annes.
Blackpool Magistrates' CourtBlackpool Magistrates' Court
Blackpool Magistrates' Court

Bradley Parker, who could not resist the urge to drive the new car he had bought, fled from the accident scene but went to police the next day and confessed.

Parker, a 21-year-old joiner, of Heyhouses Lane, St Annes, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident and driving without insurance not in accordance with his provisional licence.

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He was disqualified from driving for nine months, fined £310 with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £150 court charge with £31 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Malcolm Isherwood, said police were called to the scene of a car crash at Whittles Chartered Accountants, Richmond Road, St Annes on August 19 at 2.40am.

A Peugeot 206 had smashed into the wall of the accountants and a bollard, causing £9,000 of damage.

CCTV showed two men abandoning the car. Police contacted the vehicle’s registered keeper who said he had sold the car recently.

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The next day Parker went to Blackpool police station and confessed to what he had done.

He would not reveal the name of the friend in the car with him as he did not want the friend to get into trouble.

The prosecutor said: “He said he jumped into the car even though he knew he shouldn’t have. He said he pulled on the handbrake and collided with the wall.”

Parker had been into the accountants twice to apologise.

He had also arranged through his employer for repairs to be carried out and the cost taken from his wages, so no compensation was being asked for.

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Suzanne Mugford, defending, said Parker had finished his driving lessons then bought the car in anticipation of passing his theory and driving test.

The night of the offence it was the first time he had driven his car.

Parker accepted he was lucky the consequences of the accident were not worse.