Hartlepool danger driver drove 'like a bat out of hell' before crash which injured dad and young daughter

Jamie Turner, 29, weaved in and out of traffic at speed on Wooler Road in Hartlepool in his orange Ford Focus before smashing into the stationary Kia when he tried to turn into a side road.

The father and 10-year-old girl suffered whiplash and seatbelt injuries. But despite the collision, Turner drove off after panicking because he was uninsured.

Teesside Crown Court heard Turner overtook vehicles at an estimated 40mph-50mph as he responded to a phone call from his partner’s distressed daughter at about 5.45pm on January 25.

The victim in the Kia braked suddenly and tried to shield his daughter with his arm when he saw Turner coming towards him on the wrong side of the road before attempting to turn into Tunstall Grove.

Jonathan Gittins, prosecuting, said: “As it swerved sharply and skidded towards the Kia the Focus hit a kerb sideways on and became airborne about one foot off the ground in the direction of the Kia.”

The side of the Focus hit the front of the Kia causing significant damage.

Turner, of Hawthorn Walk, Hartlepool, was arrested a couple of days later after witnesses noted the registration.

He admitted dangerous driving, no insurance, failing to report an accident and failing to stop after an accident.

The court heard he has a bad record for driving offences including taking without consent, drink driving, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

But Stephen Constantine, mitigating, said the last was in 2015 and his partner has been a stabalising influence.

Regarding the call from her daughter, Mr Constantine said: “He tells me she appeared panicking, she appeared frightened and that passed itself on to Mr Turner who was desperate to get to her as soon as he possibly could.”

Passing a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, Judge Deborah Sherwin told Turner: “What you did in response to that I’m sure you realise was wholly wrong and wholly stupid.

"You appear to have, to use the vernacular, driven like a bat out of hell”.

He was also disqualified for two years.

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