Bus driver who hit teen to walk free
GUILTY PLEA TO LESSER CHARGE IS ACCEPTED
A BUS driver who ploughed into a schoolgirl has been told she is likely to walk free after prosecutors said they would drop a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Carol Hadwin was behind the wheel of a single-decker Stagecoach bus which hit a 15-yearold on the West Road, in Newcastle.
Prosecutors had alleged that Hadwin had sounded her horn but failed to slow down as the girl crossed when the red man was showing.
The teenager was sent flying into railings and suffered serious injuries including a broken pelvis, a previous hearing heard.
A jury was discharged in July and Hadwin was due to stand trial again accusing of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
But the Crown Prosecution Service decided to drop the allegation after the 58-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
Prosecutor Mark Giuliani told Newcastle Crown Court that while “on the face of it one may wonder why the Crown has taken this decision”, it was considered to be in the “public interest”.
He added: “Having spoken to the complainant, the Crown consider that plea to be acceptable.”
Judge Stephen Earl said: “I heard the prosecution case and in the circumstances I can see why you might take that view and I would not go against it.”
The judge added: “If it crosses the custody threshold it’s unlikely in the full circumstances of this case, having watched that video footage at considerable length, the reality is I’m in a position to say it’s unlikely I would be sending her immediately to prison.”
Nick Cartmell, for Hadwin, said: “A pragmatic view was taken as to how to resolve it so as to bring certainty to the victim in terms of her civil claim.”
Referring to Hadwin, he added: “She will probably not drive a bus again.
“She will have to take an extended test before she can reacquire her licence.
“It’s unlikely any public service company will want to employ her.
“She has continued to drive until today. She had to earn a living.
“She is a lady of good character and has been driving buses almost her entire life.”
Hadwin, of Churchwalk House, Walker, Newcastle, will be sentenced for dangerous driving later this week and was further released on bail.