Teen faces prison over car death
THREE TO BE SENTENCED AFTER MAN KILLED IN HIT-AND-RUN
I’m sure you understand, the outcome can only be custody Mr Justice Knowles
A TEENAGER is facing prison after he admitted causing the death of a popular dad in a hit-and-run.
Liam Carr and three other people were originally charged with the murder of Gary Wood, but those charges have been dropped by prosecutors.
Carr pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, affray and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Co-accused Gareth Bainbridge admitted the perverting justice charge and affray, while Larry Bainbridge admitted affray.
Carr, 19, of Langdon Road, Westerhope, Newcastle, was remanded in custody and warned he faces a prison sentence, while the Bainbridges were granted bail ahead of sentence in January.
Carr admitted causing Mr Wood’s death on the basis he was driving above the speed limit at a time when there were people and activity at the roadside.
His barrister Jamie Hill QC told the court: “His plea is on the basis of speed, driving above the speed limit. It was not deliberately driving at the person that was in the road, that would have been murder or manslaughter.” Offences of murder and manslaughter in relation to Mr Wood and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent on another alleged victim have now been dropped. Mr Wood, 42, was knocked down by a car in Seaham Road, Houghton-le-Spring, on
June 2 and died five days later. The attempting to pervert the course of justice charge Carr admitted is in relation to his Seat Ibiza car, which he abandoned after the crash so it could be burned out.
He also admitted two offences of affray on the same day.
Gareth Bainbridge, 38, of School Road, East Rainton, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice relating to his involvement in disposing of the vehicle and the two offences of affray.
His son Larry Bainbridge, 18, of the same address, pleaded guilty to one offence of affray.
All three defendants will be sentenced on January 5.
Mr Justice Knowles ordered reports from the probation service to be prepared but warned that fact “does not predict the outcome”.
He added: “All sentencing options remain open”.
The judge told Carr: “I am sure you understand, the outcome can only be custody because of the offence of causing death by dangerous driving.
“The length of custody I will decide on January 5.”
The charge against a youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was dropped at an earlier stage in the proceedings.