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24
Jan
Man admits failing to report crashing into a tree in Harrogate
A Harrogate man who did not change his tyres, despite being advised to after an MOT, crashed his car into a tree, a court has been told.
Alexander Lockwood, 24, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (January 22) charged with two offences: failing to stop after a road accident as a driver and using a vehicle or trailer with tyres with any of the ply or cord exposed.
He admitted both charges.
Juwairiyyah Aurangzeb, prosecuting, told the court police received a report of a collision on West Park in Harrogate on November 6 last year after a car crashed into a tree.
When officers arrived, police saw the damage done to the tree, and found three people – all of whom had been passengers in Lockwood’s car – at the scene.
They told officers Lockwood had been driving at the time of the crash, but he left the scene after he “panicked”.
Officers also noticed the front tyre's cord was “exposed” at the time.
Ms Aurangzeb said the defendant was located the next day and initially taken to hospital.
Once at the police station, he admitted he had been driving the car, but told officers he was struggling with his mental health and had consulted a doctor.
He also said he had not been drinking before he got behind the wheel, but fled the scene as he was “in shock” and could not recall how the crash had occurred.
"The defendant said he did not know his tyre was like that", the court heard.
Lockwood also told police he checked the passengers were alright after the collision before he left the scene, the court heard.
‘There had been advisory notices saying the tyres needed to be changed’
Andrew Tinning, defending, told the court Lockwood is of previous good character and had a clean licence prior to the offence.
Checks revealed Lockwood’s car had undergone an MOT just a few months before the incident, so he “thought it was ok to drive”.
However, Mr Tinning said there had been “advisory notices saying the tyres needed to be changed soon” but they were not.
He added:
The road conditions were quite slippery and police said there was no evidence to suggest was there was poor driving. He did not have the grip on the tyre and he came off the road.
The court heard Lockwood, of High Street in Hampsthwaite, finished work at around 8.30pm that evening.
After visiting a friend in Ripon, Lockwood’s girlfriend called him and asked him to collect her in Harrogate.
Lockwood picked up his girlfriend and some friends and drove them to get some food, which is when the collision occurred.
“He says he had not been drinking. The passengers may have had a drink but he had not”, Mr Tinning told the court.
Mr Tinning added:
Mr Lockwood says he confirmed everyone was ok and then left the scene due to struggling with his mental health. Why that leads to him fleeing and not being seen until the next day, only Mr Lockwood can answer that, but he can’t.
The court heard Lockwood has been struggling with his mental health for some time, but is actively seeking support.
“This is Mr Lockwood’s first time in court and, hopefully, the only time he will be in court”, Mr Tinning said.
Seven points were added to Lockwood’s licence and he was ordered to pay a total of £763 the court.
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