Man drove into group of people
A danger driver who ploughed a car into a group of people on a grass verge and left two of them injured has kept his freedom.
Callum Hilton accelerated a Vauxhall Cors a and" drove directly at" the group whichincluded his girlfriend, hit two of them then turned around and drove back, narrowly missing others.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that the people in the path of the car had to jump and push each other out of the way of the vehicle to avoid being hit in the late evening on July 25, 2019.
But Helen Melvin was thrown into the air by the vehicle and Stuart Holland was caught on the leg, which caused him to fall to the floor and strike his head.
Miss Melvin was taken to hospital by ambulance with a catalogue of injuries including a fracture to her wrist thatan injury to her foot, abrasions and bruising.
She needed weeks of followup hospital appointments and had to cut back her work hours as a result.
Mr Holland's injuries were not as serious.
Prosecutor Paul Rooney told the court Hilton and his stepfather, who was driving, had turned up outside the house at Sunderland Street, Hough ton, where his girlfriend was visiting after a row.
Mr Rooney said the people at the house, who had been sitting outside, left the garden and went onto a grass verge outside.
After another row started, Hilton got into the driver's side of the vehicle.
Mr Rooney said one witness said they saw the car "accelerate and drive directly at the group" and "saw Helen Melvin thrown into the air".
He added: "The car drove to the other end of the street, drove back down Sunderland Street at high speed.
"He believed he was going to drive into the group again but, thankfully, by then, the group had moved."
The court heard Hilton crashed into another car as he finally drove away from the scene.
Helen Melvin told police she saw the car approach with "no attempt to stop and drive directly at the group".
Mr Rooney said: "She saw the rest of the group as they managed to get out of its way, all except her and Stuart Holland.
"Its truck her and she found herself on the floor.
"She was in immediate, immense pain to her chin and arm.
"Her arm was floppy and she could tell it was broken."
Mr Rooney said it was" perhaps fortunate only two people were injured".
Hilton, 20, of Kidd Square, Downhill, Sunderland, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, having no insurance, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.
Judge Julie Clemitson sentenced him to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a night time curfew for 12 months, rehabilitation requirements and an order to pay £2,500 compensation to Miss Melvin.
He has been banned from the roads for two years and must pass an extended driving test before he can get back behind the wheel.
Judge Clemitson said that Hilton' sac ti ons were borne out of" fear and panic" as a result of mental health problems.
John Wilkinson, defending, said Hilton drove away to "escape" the situation.
He added :" He panicked. He accepts he drove dangerously, he accepts the manner of his driving caused the injuries."