Learner driver hit wall then fled accident scene

Published at 10:40, Saturday, 06 August 2011 A YOUTH has admitted causing a road accident, and not having a driving licence or insurance. A 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to charges of failing to stop after an accident, and using a motor vehicle without a licence or third party insurance at Furness Youth Court yesterday. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also admitted driving without due care and attention.The court heard that shortly after midnight on June 20, the boy had been driving his father’s Hyundai Elatra when he crashed into a wall on the A595 at Bank End near Grizebeck.Prosecuting, mrs Leslie Duhig said that police had received reports that the defendant and some other young males had fled the scene of the accident. she said: “A dry stone wall was badly damaged in the collision. “It seems that a number of young men made their way away from the vehicle.“Police made their way to the house of the man who owned the vehicle, who is the boy’s father.“The father confirmed that he was the owner of the car and that he had given his son permission to drive the car knowing that he only held a provisional licence.”The boy’s father received a police caution for allowing his son to take the car.In an interview with police, the youth admitted to driving the car knowing that he wasn’t allowed to and that, although he had applied for insurance, he wasn’t covered by the car’s policy.He said that there was an ‘L’ plate on the car when he set off, but that it must have fallen off and admitted he wasn’t accompanied by a qualified driver.He also said he believed the accident had occurred as he had been driving too fast down a hill, due to his lack of driving experience.Defending, mr Mike Graham said his client had admitted the offences at the first opportunity and had no previous convictions.The boy’s mother said that his actions were “totally out of character”.The magistrates opted to issue the youth with a six-month referral order and disqualified him from driving for six months. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85. Published by nwemail.co.uk