[T]HE driver of a defective car which crashed into a family-of-five’s vehicle on a Cumbria coast road has avoided immediate prison.
John Anthony Rumney, 22, fled the scene of a collision he caused in the early hours of August 27, but was found hiding nearby by a police sniffer dog. He had been on the wrong side of the B5300 near Silloth prior to impact.
Carlisle Crown Court heard the other driver, Sarah Stanborough, was with her husband, six-year-old twins and a son, aged two, and suffered slight injuries.
However, Mrs Stanborough, whose car was an insurance write-off, later spoke about the profound psychological effect of the incident. “I was angry that my family were put in such danger,” she added.
Rumney, of Eden Street, Silloth, admitted charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. The court heard he “took a chance” by driving a Citroen which had a defective shock absorber.
A 10-month jail term was suspended for 18 months, and Rumney must complete 120 hours’ unpaid work, rehabilitation, a 12-month driving ban and pay £500 compensation.
Recorder Kevin Grice told him: “You could be stood here facing many, many years’ imprisonment for charges of causing death by dangerous driving.”
