Driver sentenced after man seriously injured in road collision in Northumberland
A man suffered serious injuries in a crash in Northumberland when another driver failed to stop at a crossroads.
Ewan Pattison pleaded guilty to a charge of causing serious injury by careless driving when he appeared at Berwick Magistrates’ Court.
Magistrates heard the collision happened on the B6342 on June 8 last year.
Prosecutor Stephen Davies said: “Mark Gofton had been fishing at Fontburn Reservoir and was travelling home on the road between Rothbury and Scots Gap.
"He was driving alone and members of his family were in another car behind him. He came to a junction at the road towards Netherwitton where he had right of way. He believes he was travelling around 50mph.
“Mr Pattison failed to give way at the crossroads and the Mini Cooper he was driving collided with the right hand side of a Toyota Yaris driven by Mr Gofton, causing it to spin and collide with a tree and roadside furniture. The vehicle was extensively damaged and Mr Gofton had to be cut from the vehicle by the fire brigade.
"He was taken to hospital by ambulance and remained there for six days. He had six broken ribs, a punctured lung, damage to his kidney and required 16 stitches to his elbow.”
The court heard the defendant and his partner had been on a touring holiday and visited Wales and the Lake District before heading to Northumberland where they planned to stay at an Airbnb in Alnwick.
Magistrates were told the couple’s sat-nav app took them on country roads they were unfamiliar with.
“He did not see the road markings at the junction and collided with the vehicle,” said Ian O’Rourke in defence. “He and his girlfriend went to assist the driver.”
The court heard he had since been on a driver improvement course at his own expense.
Probation officer Claire Jones said: “He is absolutely devastated by what happened that day. He wishes he could turn back time.”
Michael White, chairman of the bench, said: “Clearly this offence was a very serious one which caused significant injuries to another person. Your remorse has been noted.”
Pattison, 31, of Daphne Street, Wandsworth in London, was ordered to pay a fine, victim surcharge and court costs totalling £2,238.
He was also given a 12 month driving ban.