A WOMAN who helped to convict a man who knocked down a dog while driving illegally has appeared in court.
Stephanie Savage, of Trem Yr Ysgol, Llangollen, admitted letting her friend use her car, even though she knew he was disqualified after a drink driving offence.
The car was then involved in an accident on September 22 which seriously injured a neighbour’s pet.
Although her evidence was instrumental in convicting the man, who also failed to stop after the incident, she faced a charge of aiding and abetting him in driving a motor vehicle while disqualified.
Bethan Jones, defending, told Wrexham Magistrates Court she had never heard of this happening before.
Justin Espie, prosecuting, said: “We don’t see many offences of this type where the evidence has been provided by the defence.
“Savage’s car was involved in a road traffic collision which resulted in a dog being seriously injured, creating £4,000 in vet’s fees.
“She allowed the man to drive in the full knowledge he was disqualified. She knew she was in the wrong but she did it anyway.”
Miss Jones said Savage was “an intelligent, eloquent and hard-working lady” and mother of two teenage boys, and was of previous good character.
She said: “I’ve never seen someone co-operate so fully in this way and her honesty helped bring the man to court.
The court heard Savage, 37, had carried out fundraising in Llangollen to help raise the money needed to treat the dog.
Savage was commended for being honest and open even though it had resulted in her own conviction.
Her driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points and she was ordered to pay £100 fines, £85 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.