The Chronicle

Driver fined after crashing into police car

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A DRIVER crashed into a police car because he wasn’t paying attention at the wheel.

Sean Pringle, 50, was found guilty of driving without due care and attention after a trial.

A court heard Pringle attempted to cross over two lanes of traffic at Cowpen Road in Blyth, Northumber­land, but ended up causing an accident.

A police car was heading down the slip road towards him but Pringle pulled out and drove into the side of it.

Pringle denied the offence and accused the police officer behind the wheel of going faster than she claimed, but this was dismissed by District Judge Bernard Begley at South East Northumber­land Magistrate­s’ Court.

The collision occurred during the evening rush-hour on January 25.

No-one was seriously injured but one police officer was treated for shock.

Prosecutin­g, Laura Lax asked Pringle why he had initially agreed to go on a driving improvemen­t course if he insisted he was innocent.

Pringle said it was the “easiest option” but decided to plead not guilty when the case ended up in a criminal court.

District Judge Begley said: “If you were paying attention I can not see how you would not be able to see that vehicle.”

Pringle, of De Merley Road, Morpeth, was ordered to pay a £500 fine, £620 in costs, a £60 surcharge and given five points on his licence.

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