'˜Momentary lapse' is blamed for car crash

Adam Timmons (32), Murray Wood, Waringstown, at a previous court had admitted two charges of causing grievous bodily harm by driving without due care and attention and having a defective tyre on his vehicle.

The case had been adjourned so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

A public prosecutor said that at approximately 3.05pm on December 6 last year two vehicles were involved in a head on collision on the Mill Hill, Waringstown.

There was serious frontal damage to both vehicles and a female trapped inside one of the cars had to be cut free by the fire and rescue service. There were two children aged five and ten in her car.

The defendant suffered a broken leg. He said that he had lost control of his vehicle and crossed the road. An examination of his car showed that the front offside tyre was defective.

As a result of the collision two females were injured. Injuries included broken bones and part of a bowel had to be removed from one victim.

A solicitor representing Timmons said the pre-sentence report was full of ‘guilt and remorse’ from his client in expressing concern for the other parties.

He added that the defendant was blinded by the sun, hit a kerb and over-steered. It was a momentary lapse of attention.

The solicitor said that Timmons had not driven much since this incident. “It has put the fear of God into him,” he added.

Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers said there was absolutely no doubt the remorse by the defendant which was genuine all through the pre-sentence report.

She accepted it was a momentary lapse of attention and while two people were seriously injured she was not going to send Timmons to prison.

She sentenced him to 100 hours community service and banned him from driving for 18 months.

For the defective tyre offence she imposed a £100 fine and ordered him to pay a £15 offender’s levy.