Mercedes driver fled scene after crashing into lamppost in Sunderland and leaving friend at roadside

Jaquelyn Liddle, 36, of Otto Terrace, Sunderland, was at the Glow 80s bar in the city’s Vine Place when Chloe Watson asked for a ride in the early hours of Friday, October 18, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

Liddle, who is on benefits, got behind the wheel of the black 2016 registration motor but soon after left the road at a roundabout where the A184 and A1018 meet.

The court was told Ms Watson, who was in the passenger seat and not wearing a seatbelt, got out of the car with injuries to her mouth – and Liddle drove off.

In her defence, Liddle claimed the injuries had been inflicted earlier by Ms Watson’s partner, which was the reason for her wanting to leave the bar.

Liddle admitted that she wasn’t insured and crashed and caused damage to a streetlamp, but ‘disputes that she caused the injuries’ to her friend.

The 36-year-old was given penalty points on her licence but banned from the roads after totting up excessive points.

Prosecutor Jeff Taylor said: “Chloe Watson had been drinking in Sunderland city centre. Ms Liddle had said something had been discussed about someone having a go at Ms Watson and she had offered to take her home.

“She gets in the passenger seat and the defendant gets into the driver’s seat and drives away.”

Mr Taylor told the court that after the accident Ms Watson suffered pain and swelling in her mouth, including from two chipped teeth, and that a police officer at the scene noted she appeared to be intoxicated.

He added: “She said that the driver had left her. The officer did notice debris on the roundabout and found that this was the place of the collision.

“Ms Liddle admitted being the driver of the Mercedes and being in the incident and said that the passenger had run away.

“She suggested that there had been some sort of incident to that person and suggested that their injuries were not because of the accident. She hasn’t remained at the scene, she ought to have done more.”

Alaister Naismith, defending, said: “She fully admitted that she wasn’t insured and crashed and caused damage to a streetlamp.

“She says that the injuries to Ms Watson was that they were caused by her partner and she had asked to take her home. She disputes that she caused the injuries.”

Liddle, who pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road accident and driving without insurance, was given seven penalty points and was banned under the totting up system.

She was also given a 12-month community order with a requirement of 10 rehabilitation days with the Probation Service and 40 hours’ unpaid work and must pay a £90 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.