Disqualified driver hit learner's car - The Worcester Observer

Disqualified driver hit learner's car

Worcester Editorial 15th Jul, 2014 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

A DISQUALIFIED driver avoided jail after crashing his partner’s car into a learner vehicle.

Stephen Kearney, of Borrowdale Drive, smashed the Ford Focus into the side of the other car on Tunnel Hill about 9.30am on May 19.

The 35-year-old had failed to take an extended driving test in order to get his licence back after he was banned from getting behind the wheel in 2010 for dangerous driving and so was still disqualified.

Last Friday (July 11) Worcester Magistrates Court heard how Kearney came over the brow of the hill swerving from side to side and hit the side of the other vehicle, causing substantial damage to the panels.




Kearney was asked if he was the owner of the vehicle but said it was his girlfriends and the last he knew about it he was disqualified from driving.

He pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, using a vehicle with no insurance and driving without due care and attention.


Chris Aggrey, defending solicitor, said: “He decided to take his partners car to pick up a friend who had been stranded following engine trouble.

“He took the corner not at excessive speed but came down towards the hill and saw a learner driver attempting a hill start, which he said was taking place in a very awkward position.

“He had nowhere to go and started to panic and when the car lost control he hit the side of the learner vehicle, but he immediately stopped and ran straight back to see if they were okay.”

Kearney was handed an eight-week curfew from 9pm to 7am and was disqualified from driving for a further six months.

District Judge Nigel Cadbury added: “You were going too fast for the road on what was obviously a difficult bend and corner.

“You lost control and struck this other car. It’s not only you’re driving while disqualified but you drove without due care and without insurance.”

The defendant was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

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