MECHANIC CRASHED CAR AS HE TESTED THE BRAKES HE’D JUST FIXED
24-year-old with provisional driving licence then sped off
A MECHANIC crashed his friend’s car on a roundabout after taking it for a test drive - despite only having a provisional licence.
Michael Poole lost control of the Vauxhall Corsa and crashed into a parked car as the owner was sat inside last November.
The 24-year-old then fled the scene by driving the wrong way around the Bradwell roundabout.
Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard Poole attended a police station and admitted the offences in February, after officers contacted the owner of the Corsa he had been driving.
Prosecutor Andrew Baker said: “In November last year a friend of the defendant asked the defendant to fix a fault with the car’s brakes. The car was a Vauxhall Corsa.
“He knew the defendant was a mechanic, but he only had a provisional driving licence and had no permission to drive the car.
“On November 16, the defendant drove the car at excessive speed around the roundabout of Riceyman Road and Chatterley Close.
“It was 6.20pm, dark and raining. The defendant lost control, hit the kerb on the wrong side of the road and collided with a stationary Peugeot in Chatterley Close.
“The defendant sped off, driving the wrong way around the roundabout along Bursley Way.
“The defendant was interviewed on February 23 and admitted the offences. He had repaired the brakes and was testing the vehicle. He made an attempt at an emergency stop, but collided with the parked car.
“He panicked and drove off the wrong way around
the roundabout. His driving experience is 10 lessons in 2013 and 2014. He recently had a CBT test for a light motorcycle.”
Poole, of First Avenue, Silverdale, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop, driving without insurance and driving without a licence. He has no previous convictions.
Jason Holt, mitigating, said: “His partner sits in court also. He is hopeful of retaining his employment.”
Poole was handed a 12-month community order with a 20-day rehabilitation requirement. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must pay £250 compensation and £750 costs.
Judge Sally Hancox said: “This is unbelievably stupid on your part. I hope you now realise how stupid you were.
“I accept you drove away out of panic. I am not going to send you to custody. This is your first offence, let it be your last.”