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Disqualified driver fled scene after seriously injuring woman in Black Country crash

A disqualified driver has been jailed for 14 months after crashing into a woman in the Black Country and fleeing the scene.

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Wolverhampton Crown Court, where Wayne Gloster was sentenced

Brodwen Partridge was badly hurt when she was in a collision with a Vauxhall Zafira that was driven by Wayne Gloster, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The incident took place in Bunns Lane, Dudley, on November 24 last year. The court heard the victim suffered two fractures, including one to her pelvis, and she was restricted to a wheelchair for around four months.

Gloster, of French Road, Dudley, also pleaded guilty to having no insurance and failing to stop after the road accident on the same date, at an earlier hearing.

Thrown

Sati Ruck, prosecuting, said: "The victim had left her home at around 1.30pm to walk to work. She had approached the junction of the New Birmingham Road and Bunns Lane. She said she checked the road before crossing.

"She stepped into the road and got about half way when she was hit by the car. A witness described her as being thrown into the air before hitting the road.

"The defendant got out of the vehicle and approached her, before driving off. A female and a 13-year-old boy also got of the car – the boy ran off, while the female remained at the scene. A witness followed the defendant to a driveway, where he was in a property shouting for a pillow. The witness asked what he was doing and he said he was getting a pillow for the victim.

"The witness offered him a lift back to the scene, but he said he would walk, but was not seen again. A female inside the property went to the scene with the pillow. He was arrested following an area search and the vehicle was found two metres away from his address.

"In interview he said he was the driver and accepted he was disqualified."

The court heard 43-year-old Gloster had a string of offences dating back since 1990, including burglary, vehicle theft and two dangerous driving convictions on his record.

Panic

Steven Bailey, defending, said: "He has been out of trouble since this offence – and there has been quite a long gap in his offending. The most recent recording of offending was for dangerous driving just over five years ago.

"He left his daughter at the scene to do what she could, he went for help, he spoke to his partner who then went back to the scene. He told me he did not go back as he was in blind panic.

"This is not a man hiding from responsibility of what he has done."

Judge Dean Kershaw sentenced him to 14 months in prison for causing serious injury whilst driving disqualified at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday. He was also sentenced for five months for driving while disqualified, to run concurrently, and banned from driving for more than five years.

Injured

In passing his sentence, Judge Kershaw said: "You were driving that vehicle and you should not have been in it. You should not have been anywhere near driving that vehicle – you know better than anyone that you are a poor driver, your record tells you such. Nevertheless, you got into that car and drove it, you had people with you knowing you are someone that should not be driving and has no insurance.

"No one is suggesting you set out to strike and hurt her. You did that because you are a very poor driver. She was very badly injured, in fact she was seriously injured.

"You momentarily stopped, got out and approached where she was and then to me you realised you were going to get in trouble for driving a car when you should not have been and you left the scene.

"At this court you said you were not guilty of the most serious offence and you decided there must be a trial. In any event, you obviously thought about it and you decided to plead guilty and change your plea.

"You have the most dreadful record for driving. This offence is your 10th I think for driving whilst disqualified and two convictions for dangerous driving."