Dangerous motorist caused accident while he overtook

PASSING MANOEUVRE LED TO SPINE ROAD CRASH

A DANGEROUS driver caused a crash by squeezing between a car and the central reservation in the outside lane of a busy duel carriageway.

In a mindless bid to overtake, Mark Hall made the reckless manoeuvre on the A189 Spine Road, near Ashington, Northumberland, in the middle of the afternoon in December last year.

A court heard that the victim initially saw the 38-year-old in his rear view mirror as he drove northbound in the outside lane, or fast lane.

After watching Hall squeeze between the car behind him and the central reservation to overtake, the victim knew he was about to do the same to him.

Lorna Rimell, prosecuting at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court, said: “The witness’ vehicle was in the outside lane and the defendant began trying to pass between him and the central reservation barrier.

“As he tried to pass, there was insufficient room and the two vehicles have collided, causing quite substantial damage to the witness’s vehicle.

“Once the defendant overtook him, the defendant failed to stop and provide details.”

Hall, of Dene View, Ashington, was later arrested thanks to dash cam footage of the incident, which happened on December 7 last year, and subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving and one of failing to stop after an accident when he appeared in court.

In a statement,

Mark Hall leaving Bedlington magistrates court, Northumberland

the victim said: “I feel very strongly that the person that caused this should be prosecuted. I feel shock and upset and I’m embarrassed having to drive my vehicle in the current situation with all the damage. I don’t want to drive it. “I’m still suffering from pain in my neck and shoulder and I’m still dealing with my insurance company.” The court heard that Hall had no previous convictions and was apologetic for his behaviour.

Lorna Rimell, prosecutor

Paul Dunn, defending, said: “This is a man who has had quite a lot of stress in his life over the last few months. He split up with his wife. They lived in Scotland but she moved back to the North East. He was down in the North East visiting his child at the time. He moved back to the North East himself afterwards and took up employment as a fitness instructor. The contract started just before the Covid-19 outbreak, when he was simply laid off. He’s now on benefits.”

Magistrates gave Hall an 18-month community order, with 250 hours of unpaid work, and banned him from the roads for 20 months.

The defendant began trying to pass between the witness’ vehicle and the central reservation barrier