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20
Nov
Driver without UK licence caused serious injuries at notorious North Rigton junction
A man who was not licensed to drive in the UK caused two people to be seriously injured when he crashed into a van at a notorious junction near Harrogate.
Revan Qader, 27, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court today (November 20) charged with five offences: two counts of causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving; driving without a licence; driving without insurance and aggravated vehicle taking.
He admitted all the charges.
Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, told the court the incident occurred at around 1.50pm on August 17, when the weather was “fine and dry”.
Qader was travelling towards the A658 Harrogate Road crossroads, where Hall Green Lane in North Rigton and Dunkeswick Lane meet, in a black Mercedes.
As he approached the junction, Qader failed to give way and drove straight across towards Hall Green Lane, when he hit a van travelling along Harrogate Road.
Qader collided with the driver's side of the van.
Police called to the scene soon established Qader, of Ballater Street in Glasgow, did not hold a UK driving licence despite having lived in the country since 2018.
He was therefore not insured to drive the Mercedes.
The defendant has an Iraqi driving licence, but it did not cover him to drive in the UK.
Ms Whiteley said two of five passengers travelling in the van at the time were injured.
A girl suffered a fractured coccyx and her teeth were broken, while a woman sustained a fractured sternum and a foot injury.
The court heard:
The defendant admitted to driving the car when interviewed by police and said he took it without the owner’s knowledge to go to a barbecue at Bolton Abbey.
The defendant said he took it from a salesroom where his friend works.
Qader told police he was travelling between 30mph and 40mph at the time but claimed he did not see the signs for the junction.
Ms Whiteley disputed this and said the road signs alerting drivers to give way at the junction are "visible".
Dashcam footage was played to the court, which showed Qader drive straight over the crossroads without stopping and hitting the van.
The prosecution added Qader is of previous good character but said he “seems to have ignored the road signs and markings”.
Defendant ‘did not understand roads in the UK’
Ms Kaser, defending, told the court Qader is “very embarrassed and remorseful” about what happened.
“He struggles to sleep and struggles with his anxiety”, Ms Kaser said.
She added:
Mr Qader says he is very sorry and feels stupid and knows those involved could’ve lost their lives.
He says when he was driving, he did not understand the roads in the UK and did not know he was at a Give Way. Mr Qader has a full Iraqi licence, which he still has, and he believed he was allowed him to drive in the UK, but he did not take any legal advice.
The defendant now understands he would have to take a full UK driving test to drive in the country, the defence claimed.
Ms Kaser requested the case be adjourned for a pre-sentence report, adding Qader is “willing to engage with any services”.
The magistrates granted this and adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Qader will return to Harrogate Magistrates Court for sentence on February 13, 2026.
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