Dangerous driver hit two people near Ruthin

Richard Pierce, of Bretton Road in Bretton, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Monday for sentence.

The 54-year-old had pleaded guilty one offence of dangerous driving.

Karl Scholz, prosecuting, told the court that on July 20 last year, at around 10.10am, Pierce was driving a Mercedes convertible on the B5105 from Ruthin towards Clawdd-newydd.

He encountered a number of queuing vehicles at a site where resurfacing was taking place - and where traffic was being controlled by two workmen with stop/go boards.

For a short time, the men at either end directed traffic to stop in both directions in order for some work to be completed in a section of the road.

The 'stop' board had been up less than a minute when Pierce pulled out from the stationary traffic and took the view that he could drive through the roadworks.

He pulled out onto the far side of the road and set off.

The first of the two men controlling traffic stepped forward and indicated for him to stop - but Pierce ignored him, striking him and sending him spinning to the ground.

The collision wasn't enough to persuade Pierce to stop, as he carried on.

Upon reaching the other end, the other traffic controller indicated to him to stop.

But the defendant accelerated towards him, striking him too and sending him spinning.

Pierce didn't even stop after the second collision - deciding instead to drive off.

He was found at a house in Clawdd-newydd and when questioned, he admitted moving out of the queue as "he didn't think much was happening."

The defendant said the first man he struck had "punched his car's mirror" and he carried on driving, thinking the workers would be "gunning for him."

Regarding the second man he struck, Pierce claimed the victim had "tried to punch or kick" his vehicle.

Richard Pierce (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police) He claimed he hadn't stopped as he feared the men would be "antagonistic" or even try to "kill him."

Shockingly, Mr Scholz outlined the defendant's criminal record; which included numerous motoring offences and - most significantly - causing death by dangerous driving in 1995.

His other offences included driving while disqualified, driving without due care and attention and failing to stop.

Alun Williams, defending, told the court his client accepted the prosecution case.

"He accepts at the outset it was a poor piece of driving.

"He has expressed remorse and victim empathy and is apologetic.

"At the time of this offence, 12 months ago, his business was going through a very difficult period.

"He had a state of affairs which caused him considerable anxiety and stress.

"He showed incredibly poor judgement initially, and thereafter he's exacerbated that by reaching a state of panic.

"It's accepted there is a history and the very notable conviction in 1995 - however that is almost 30 years ago, a lifetime away."

Mr Williams said his client had put a lot of time and effort into his business, which would not survive if the court imposed immediate custody.

Judge Nicola Saffman told the defendant: "Clearly dissatisfied at the length of time it was taking to change the board, you pulled out and overtook - speeding away.

"There was extreme victim blaming going on here.

"It was a highly dangerous manoeuvre and you made the decision to disregard the rules of the road, and the risk to others.

"It's clear you've not learned your lesson from your death by dangerous driving offence; these were two pedestrians working in the road.

"You could very easily have caused serious injury or death to those victims."

The Judge handed down a 14 month custodial sentence, concluding the matters were so serious that only immediate jail time could be justified.

Pierce was banned from driving for two years and seven months - two years ban and an additional seven months to reflect the time he will spend behind bars before release on licence.