A pensioner drove his seriously damaged car for a further 20 miles after crashing into the central reservation of the A1 in Northumberland. Hugh Barry called the police to report the collision on the dual carriageway at Morpeth, just before the turn-off for the A697.
A court heard that officers arrived at the scene shortly after midnight and found debris from the accident, but the 75-year-old had left in his Audi. While officers searched for Barry and his vehicle, he phoned again to say he had broken down 20 miles away at Powburn.
Substantial damage to the Audi
The pensioner was later found with the Audi, which had substantial damage, including to the bonnet, lights, tyres and radiator. Barry, formerly of Wooler but now of Bellgrave Crescent in Edinburgh, was arrested and admitted the vehicle would have been unsafe to drive.
He pleaded guilty to one count each of dangerous driving and driving without insurance at Newcastle Magistrates' Court. Maiiam Odetoro, prosecuting, said Barry phoned the police to report the crash at around midnight on February 11 this year.
Police search and second call
Miss Odetoro said: "Police attended the scene and found debris from the defendant's Audi vehicle. However, he was not present at that location."
"The officers continued looking for the vehicle. A few moments later, the defendant made another call saying he had driven the vehicle and had now broken down. He was located on the A697 just north of Powburn. The estimated distance he travelled was 20 miles. The weather conditions were atrocious with torrential rain and poor visibility."
Vehicle should not have been driven
The court heard that Barry's vehicle had substantial damage to the front end, including to the bonnet, which obscured the driver's view, the tyres, lights and radiator, which was exposed. Miss Odetoro added: "Essentially, the vehicle shouldn't have been driven in that condition."
The defendant said he crashed because he was tired and had suffered a momentary lapse in concentration. He decided to continue driving because he just wanted to get home. Magistrates were told that Barry had no past convictions, was extremely remorseful and had his personal assistant in the car at the time, wanting to get her to a safe place.
Barry was fined £2,769 and ordered to pay £1,108 victim surcharge and £85 costs. He was also banned from the roads for 36 months.
