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15
Dec
Harrogate man avoids jail after driving dangerously on the A61
A Harrogate man who drove dangerously overtaking two cars and nearly hitting oncoming traffic on the A61 has avoided jail.
Jordan Hardcastle, of Hartwith Close, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (December 11) where he spoke to confirm his name, age and address.
Hardcastle, 32, admitted one count of dangerous driving on the A61 Harrogate Road near Bishop Monkton on September 27 this year.
Sarah Tyrer, prosecuting, said the 32-year-old was caught on dashcam footage in his green Vauxhall Astra at 8.50am overtaking cars while driving on a solid white line.
Dashcam footage, which was played in court, was captured by one of the drivers who Hardcastle overtook.
Ms Tyrer said the footage shows the defendant overtaking on white lines as he heads in the direction of Harrogate.
She said:
He overtakes on white lines and narrowly misses another vehicle before cutting across to get back on the right side.
It is a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road.
Ms Tyer told the court that Hardcastle was banned from driving on November 17 for a separate offence of drug-driving, which he received a community order and was banned for 20 months.
‘Lucky not to be involved in an accident’
Sean Wilson, defending, told the court that the defendant was a “young man who has suffered from anxiety and depression”.
Mr Wilson said Hardcastle’s dog had been involved in an accident and was at an emergency vets in Thirsk. On the morning of the offence, he had to take his dog to an operation in Harrogate.
He said:
It was unfortunately why he was driving like he was. He was very lucky that he was not involved in an accident.
Mr Wilson said Hardcastle's drug-driving conviction was for prescribed medication.
He added that Hardcastle had not been before a magistrates court in 14 years, which was testament to his good character.
Magistrates sentenced Hardcastle to 24 weeks in prison which was suspended for 18 months.
He was also ordered to attend 20 rehabilitation activity days and to carry out 89 hours of unpaid work.
Hardcastle was also banned from driving for a further 18 months and ordered to undertake another driving test at the end of his disqualification.
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