Teen who crashed into pensioner's car locked up

Andrew Edward Griffiths, of Hartington Street, Barrow, appeared at Furness Magistrates' Court to stand trial for motoring offences.

He had been charged with dangerous driving, driving without a valid licence and driving without insurance.

At his first appearance in court in September Griffiths pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Prosecuting solicitor Peter Kelly told the court how on May 26 Griffiths was driving in Priory Road, Ulverston, in a BMW he had bought four days previously.

Eyewitnesses reported Griffiths was driving well in excess of the 30mph speed limit on the road.

Mr Kelly said Griffiths' car collided with another vehicle being driven by 72-year-old woman, Jackie Cooper, driving from Baycliff to Ulverston.

Coming round a corner, the BMW hit the side of Mrs Cooper's VW car, before crashing into a wall.

Mrs Cooper was hurt in the crash, sustaining whiplash and injuries to her thumbs and chest from the impact.

She read out a statement describing the effect the crash had on her life.

She said: "My shoes were full of glass. I said I wanted to strangle the driver. I was screaming. I wanted to be sick."

Mrs Cooper, who is a disabled driver, said the accident had severely impacted her and her husband's ability to enjoy life.

She said: "I've lost my independence."

Defence solicitor Tristan Roberts said his client was extremely sorry for his actions.

He said: "He feels an enormous amount of remorse."

Prior to the trial, 19-year-old Griffiths changed his pleas to guilty.

District Judge Gerald Chalk sentenced Griffiths to 130 days in a young offenders' institution, half of which will be served in the community.

He also ordered to pay £400 in compensation; £100 to Mrs Cooper and £300 to the owner of the damaged wall.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and 65 days.

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