A 75-year-old bus driver from Warrington whose vehicle pushed a young cyclist into a road junction and then drove off without stopping at the scene, has been banned from driving and ordered to do community service.
William Brennan was tracked down by police and today (Mon) appeared in court having admitted dangerous driving.
The pensioner also admitted failing to stop after an accident in which personal injury – shock – was caused and failing to report an accident.
Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard that the incident happened at 3.30 pm on April 18 when Brennan was driving a red double decker Volvo bus and reached the junction of Acorn Street and Wargrave Road, Newton-le-Willows.
“A 13-year-old cyclist was also at the junction and Mr Brennan makes contact with his back tyre and the bike was pushed into the road. Fortunately he was not injured,” said Vincent Yip, prosecuting.
“The vehicles came to a stop and the cyclist was able to get to safety. The matter was reported to the police and they carried out investigations and eventually found out it was Mr Brennan. He was interviewed on September 17.”
Defence lawyer Ged Nolan said that Brennan, of Grasmere Avenue, Poplars and Hulme, Warrington, said that the accident was “a really momentary lapse of reason.”
He said he has no previous convictions or cautions and is still employed full time by MD Bus and Coach Ltd. The owner was in court to support him and had provided a glowing testimonial for him.
Mr Nolan said that he had previously argued that the incident should have been charged as careless rather than dangerous but the prosecution felt that it was just over the threshold for the more serious charge.
“He is an industrious man, even when he retired he gained his bus licence and worked for the company for ten years.
The magistrates imposed a 12 month community order and ordered him to carry out 100 hours unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days.
Brennan has been under an interim disqualification since November 4 when he entered his pleas and the magistrates banned him for a year from that date. He will have to take an extended re-test before he can get back behind the wheel.
The Bench also ordered him to pay costs totalling £199.
1 Comment
Hit and run when he hit a 13 year old? Not found for 6 months because he could not bear to take responsibility for himself?
FFS the swine should be banned for life.