Man admits dangerous driving after moped rider hurt in Wingate crash

Shane Henderson denied causing serious injury by dangerous driving when he appeared at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, on October 13, last year.

It arises from a collision involving a Citroen C2 car and a moped on the B1280 Front Street, in Wingate, County Durham, on the afternoon of Thursday July 7, 2022.

The Citroen driver collided with the back of a moped near a mini roundabout on the Station Lane section of Front Street, knocking the rider into the road.

He was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, suffering serious injuries.

When he appeared at the court in October, Henderson denied the charge on the basis that he was not driving the car at the time of the collision, claiming he had been dropped off by the man who was at the wheel.

Judge Richard Bennett noted at that hearing that the defendant had even named the man who he claimed was driving at the time.

A trial was fixed to start on October 18 next year, with a four-day estimated duration.

But the case came back before the court on Thursday (January 29) when Henderson’s counsel, Josh Normanton, asked for the charge to be put to his client once more.

This time, he pleaded guilty, meaning there is now no need for a trial.

Mr Normanton asked if the defendant could be assessed by the Probation Service in a background report before sentence is passed.

“He’s still relatively young, in his early 30s, but it has to be acknowledged he doesn’t have a fantastic record.

“There was a robbery conviction in 2016 and there are more recent driving offences.

“He’s managed to move away, largely, from drug use, but I feel the court could be assisted by a pre-sentence report.”

Judge Nathan Adams agreed to adjourn the sentence to allow for preparation of the report.

Addressing the defendant, he said: “You have now pleaded guilty to this matter.

“You are aware of the circumstances with your record and it will only be a case of how long the sentence will be.”

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He warned the defendant that when he returns to court later this month, “be prepared for what is likely to happen.”

An interim driving disqualification was put in place from Thursday’s hearing, with the full duration of the ban to be confirmed at the sentencing hearing.

Henderson, 32, of St Stephens Way, Wallsend, North Tyneside, was bailed to return to court for the sentence on Friday February 27.