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08
Mar
Harrogate man who sneezed while driving and ‘clipped’ pedestrian fined
A driver who sneezed and clipped a pedestrian was fined at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (March 7).
Alan Mapplebeck, of Plain Lane in Hampsthwaite, pleaded guilty to one count of driving without due care and attention, one count of being a driver and failing to stop after a road accident, and one count of being a driver involved in a road accident and failing to report it.
Kaye Barnard, prosecuting, told the court a named man was walking on the pavement on Harrogate's Ripon Road on October 6 last year.
The court heard a Ford Transit van swerved in the road and the wing mirror hit the named man.
Ms Barnard said the wing mirror came off the van, but the driver did not stop.
A witness, who was in the car behind the van, took the number plate of the van and police used this to locate Mapplebeck.
Mapplebeck admitted he was driving the van at the time when interviewed by police, the court heard.
Ms Barnard said the complainant had to take three weeks off work following the incident, and he was in “such pain” he took himself to the hospital. The man did not sustain any injuries.
The court heard:
The defendant said he had sneezed when driving and momentarily swerved and hit the kerb. He said he was not aware of hitting the complainant.
Defendant ‘did not hear the bang’
Martin Townend, defending, told the court the 37-year-old defendant made a full admission to the police when he was interviewed.
He said Mapplebeck sneezed at the time of the incident, but he “had no idea he had clipped someone”.
The court heard Mapplebeck “did not hear the bang” and, if he had, “he would’ve stopped”.
Mapplebeck told the court the van’s wing mirror was already broken prior to the incident.
Mapplebeck is a self-employed electrician. He has a number of employees working for him, and he drives around the country for work.
The defendant was "quite willing" to pay compensation, the court heard. Mr Townend also said Mapplebeck does not have any issues with substances.
The magistrates fined Mapplebeck a total of £1,054. This comprises a £692 fine, a £277 surcharge and £85 in prosecution.
Eight points were added to his licence, which already had three points on it.
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