AN INEXPERIENCED motorist who had not passed his driving test panicked after causing a road accident.
At Wrexham Magistrates Court, Gavin Alan Williams, of Foresters Terrace, Ruabon, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident, using a motor vehicle without third party insurance and driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
For the prosecution, Justin Espie told the court that on the night of October 7 last year at about 11pm Williams, 27, was driving his Rover car in Albert Grove, Ruabon.
He collided with two parked vehicles – a Toyota and another Rover – and then drove off.
Defending, Stephen Edwards said Williams had bought the car with a view to selling it on and making a profit.
However, as the vehicle was an automatic and Williams was inexperienced – never passing his test – he got mixed up at the controls and collided with the stationary cars.
“The truth is this was not down to excessive speed but inexperience. After the collision he panicked,” said Mr Edwards.
“The accident was made more serious due to the fact he made off without reporting it.”
Probation officer Andrew Connah told the court the offence was not related to alcohol.
Williams was given a 12-month community order with two requirements – to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and undertake a 10-day specified activity.
He was given six penalty points, £85 costs, £60 surcharge and ordered to pay compensation totalling £300.
l Williams also faced two charges in a separate case, alleged to have occurred on December 3 last year at the Roundhouse pub in Bridge Street, Ruabon.
Williams is accused of stealing £76 cash and a quantity of alcohol. He admitted taking the alcohol but denied stealing the money.
He also pleaded not guilty to a charge of damaging gambling machines and a bay window worth a total of £2,697.