Case delay leads to danger driver avoiding prison
A SERIAL danger driver who left a woman injured and caused thousands of pounds of damage has been spared extra time in prison because of delays in bringing his case to court.
Camen Hattel tried to take a bend so fast he lost control, careered the wrong way up a one-way street and clipped one car before crashing into another.
He fled with his distressed passenger but Good Samaritans tracked him down and detained him until police arrived.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the offence happened on November 3 last year in Ashington, Northumberland, and his victim said it was the worst day of her life.
Hattel was locked up for two years in April for two earlier offences of dangerous driving involving terrifying police chases but was released on home detention curfew in July.
However, at the time of the hearing in April the court was not notified of the November offence due to delays.
A judge said Hattel would have received more time in prison had he been dealt with for the third dangerous driving offence at the same time but it would be unfair to lock him up again now he is doing well in the community and the delay was not his fault.
The victim of the offence was on Station Road, Ashington, just before 10pm in her Vauxhall when she was hit.
Stuart Graham, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: “She came to a junction, pulled up and saw the defendant’s car driving at what she estimated to be 60 to 70mph towards her.
“He clipped the side of her car and it seems to have dislodged the axle and she felt pain to her right shoulder.
“Her car was shunted on to the pavement and the defendant went on to collide with a car owned by the owner of a local takeaway.”
Hattel got out, covered his face with his hoodie and got his visibly distressed female passenger out and they ran off.
Mr Graham said: “Good Samaritans gave chase and found them in a nearby
car park. He was invited to return to the scene but refused and became confrontational.
“One of the Good Samaritans was able to physically control him and escort him back to the scene.
“At one stage he tried to run off but was detained.”
Hattel was found to be in possession of a small amount of crack cocaine and cannabis and was previously dealt with by magistrates for that.
He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was sentenced to six months suspended for 18 months with a sixmonth curfew between 7pm and 7am and a two-year driving ban.
Judge Robert Spragg told Hattel: “This was a bad piece of dangerous driving. There is no doubt, were it not for the chronology you would be going to immediate custody.
“However, given this matter should have been dealt with in April, given you have been released on home detention curfew and have complied with it and given you are complying with supervision it would be unfair and inappropriate to return you to custody.”
Kate Barnes, defending, said: “He has reconciled with his mother and has been working hard with probation on his thinking skills and is looking for employment and has matured.”
The court heard Hattel is now not taking drugs.