Man who drove into four pedestrians jailed
Aman who drove a car into four pedestrians before fleeing the scene has been jailed for three years.
Ryan Thomas, 23, appeared at Merthyr Crown Court via video link from HMP Swansea.
Thomas admitted driving a Vauxhall Astra into two people outside The Celtic Bar on Dynevor Street, Merthyr Tydfil, before attempting to drive away and hitting another two people.
Earlier this week, Thomas, of Darren Las in Merthyr Vale, pleaded guilty to four charges of assault, one of dangerous driving and one of driving while disqualified.
Byron Broadstock, prosecuting, told the court Mr Thomas was seen by two of the female victims inside The Celtic Bar on the night of Friday, November 3.
At about 2am on Saturday, they were standing outside on Dynevor Street when they saw Thomas enter a Vauxhall Astra on the other side of the road.
Mr Broadstock explained Mr Thomas drew the women’s attention because they thought he may have been drink-driving.
The car was then driven towards the two women at a speed which did not give them time to move out of the way.
One woman was hit so hard she mounted the bonnet, and had to be pulled off by a group of people.
Mr Broadstock said: “She wasn’t entirely sure how fast the car was going but it was fast enough for her not to be able to move out of the way.
“She then described the car swerving away from them.”
The car was then driven a short distance down the road where it collided with another woman and her boyfriend before crashing into a parked taxi.
Thomas then fled the scene on foot, and was not arrested until four days after the incident.
Mr Broadstock said none of the victims were seriously injured, but some sustained bruising, and neck, shoulder and back injuries.
Sarah Walters, defending, said her client had entered guilty pleas at the first opportunity, and as a self-trained carpenter was a man with a work ethic.
Judge Richard Twomlow said: “It was in the early hours of Saturday, November 4, when you drove into two people and then have attempted to drive off and hit two further people. You then fled the scene on foot.
“The young people you hit have suffered physical injuries. It was extremely fortunate that your driving did not have a more serious effect than it did.”
Judge Twomlow sentenced Thomas to 12 months for dangerous driving, five months for each of the assault charges, and four months for driving while disqualified, to run consecutively.
He was also given a four-and-ahalf year driving ban.