Motorist admits careless driving after writing off parked car

Witnesses to the crash who were sitting outside the Half Moon pub in Easington Village feared they would be run over, Durham Crown Court heard.

Gareth Tomlinson, 22, of Alisha Vale, Easington, admitted careless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident, both on May 26.

The court heard the parked car was written off at a cost of £7,530, and structural repairs to the front of the house will take two weeks.

The driving offences put him in breach of an earlier suspended sentence for possessing cannabis.

“The incident happened outside the Half Moon pub in Easington Village,” said Sean Dryden, prosecuting.

“Two ladies sitting outside the pub saw the car lose control after clipping a kerb.

“They feared they were to be run over, but fortunately the car hit a lamppost before it could hit them.

“The impact with the lamppost deflected the car towards a parked car, which in turn was pushed into the front of a house.

“The driver drove away from the scene.

“Police found the car nearby, it had substantial damage.”

Martin Scarborough, defending, said in mitigation: “Mr Tomlinson is genuinely remorseful.

“The drugs offence was some time ago.

“He has a job with Caterpillar in Peterlee, which he would almost inevitably lose if he went to custody today.”

Judge Robert Adams ordered Tomlinson to pay £710 in fines and costs.

The judge endorsed Tomlinson’s licence with eight penalty points.