Driver is jailed after he crashed into a takeaway worker’s car
A d a n ge rou s d r ive r wh o crashed his car causing serious injury to a takeaway worker has been jailed.
Terry Agar was already banned from driving when he got behind the wheel of his Golf motor vehicle just after midnight on Springwell Road, Gateshead, on November 17, last year.
Newcastle Crown Court heard two takeaway workers' vehicles were involved in the smash after they had just finished their shift and Agar travelled towards them at speed.
Agar hit the first victim who was about to pull away in a Jaguar motor vehicle, causing him to spin and collide with another car in the process - one being his colleague.
T h e Ja g u a r d r ive r su s - tained serious cuts and whiplash in the crash.
Emma Dowling, prosecuting, told the court that the complainant in the Jaguar was performing a road manoeuvre before he was struck by Agar, who fled the scene.
Ms D owl i n g s a i d : "T h e complainant's vehicle was facing the wrong way to the direction he needed and started to do a three-point-turn.
"His colleague had gone to his vehicle and he was waiting patiently in the carriageway while the other car was turning around.
"The first vehicle was finished turning when the defendant's vehicle approached at speed - the limit is 20mph.
"He was described as going significantly in excess of the speed limit and made no efforts to slow down."
The court heard that the complainant's Jaguar spun 180 degrees and struck another worker's car.
"The defendant climbed from the window and ran off," Ms Dowling added.
After being traced, Agar, of Kenilworth Court, Sulgrave, Washington, told the police that he did previously own the Golf motor vehicle but had recently sold it.
However, forensics found his DNA on the car's airbag and blood on the passenger airbag.
The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to to stop after an accident and failing to report the accident.
Agar has 25 previous convictions for 59 offences, 20 of which are driving whilst disqualified and the court heard he has never passed an extended driving test.
A brief statement on behalf of the Jaguar driver read that the complainant now finds driving "very stressful", and "suffers trouble when sleeping without having pain and discomfort".
Rachel Hedworth, mitigating, said: "Whilst it was a dangerous piece of driving, the injuries were treated by painkillers in hospital, there are no other factors to suggest there are any long-term effects. He is incredibly sorry for that night."
Ms Hedworth also told the court that Agar's ex-partner relies on him to look after their three children, and asked the court to consider a suspended sentence.
Passing down a total jail sentence of two years, Mr Recorder Kealey said: "It is right to say you have a bad record for driving, but 12 years ago was the last time you committed an offence for dangerous driving.
"You also committed more than one offence at the time of this incident."
Agar was also banned from driving for three years.