Teen who mowed down youth given driving ban
A teenager who deliberately drove his car at another youth leaving him with metal plates and bolts in his leg has been spared detention but banned from driving for 18 months.
A teenager who deliberately drove his car at another youth leaving him with metal plates and bolts in his leg has been spared detention but banned from driving for 18 months.
The 17-year-old driver, who cannot be named for legal reasons, mounted the kerb and hit his victim after a row outside a curry house, a court was told. He was given a 12-month intensive referral order at Halesowen Magistrates Court yesterday having admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving and failing to stop after an accident.
His victim suffered a broken leg and wrist in the incident in Hagley Road, Oldswinford.
Magistrates heard the youth at the wheel had passed his fifth driving test just a few weeks before the incident in the early hours of March 21.
He was originally arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but later charged with the lesser offence.
Mr Phillip Skillbeck, prosecuting, said the driver and two friends went to his parents' home to get eggs to throw at another boy who had allegedly been throwing chips at the restaurant window and hurling racist abuse at one of the three.
Magistrates saw CCTV footage revealing the moment the driver turned off the headlights of his car, mounted the kerb and struck his victim, who was thrown over the top of the vehicle.
In a statement read out in court the injured youth said his life had been ruined and his recovery would take at least another six months.
Mr Andrew Wakeman, defending, said the driver had intended only to scare his victim and did not mean to injure him.
He said it was a "drastic over-reaction" and a decision which had not been planned.
The teenager told magistrates the incident had "shocked him completely".
Bench chairman John Clark said the youth was fortunate not to be facing charges for the death of the injured victim.
He said: "If you had been an adult it's almost certain you would be leaving the court in the back of a prison van.
"You took the decision to act in a completely reckless manner."
The teenager was given a 12-month intensive referral order, disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay costs of £70.
