Man, 20, lied after pedestrian hit by car in Cirencester

Harry Fudge, of Field Barn, Kemble, allowed a friend with no licence to drive his Ford Fiesta and was a passenger in the vehicle when the accident happened.

Gloucester Crown Court heard how the Fiesta hit a 21-year-old man at a pedestrian crossing near Cirencester Retail Park at 7.20pm on October 12 last year.

The Fiesta overtook a car which had stopped at the crossing and hit the pedestrian, who broke his leg and may never fully recover, the court heard.

The Fiesta was stopped by police in Station Road, Cirencester and Fudge was arrested.

He denied being the driver but later stated in interview that he had been driving when the collision occurred and filled in the appropriate form to say so.

“But when the person who had been driving came forward himself, Fudge was forced to admit he had lied and had been the passenger,” said prosecutor Mandla Ndlovu.

Stephen Donnelly, defending, said: “Fudge realises that this offence attracts a custodial sentence but I submit that a community based sentence would be more appropriate."

Fudge admitted perverting the course of justice and not having insurance.

Judge Rupert Lowe told Fudge: “By October last year you had been driving just shy of two years when you let a mate drive your car, when you knew he did not have a valid driving licence and that he was not insured to drive your vehicle.

“And when he was driving he didn’t realise that a car in front had stopped for the pedestrian crossing and overtook this vehicle and zoomed across, mowing down a perfectly innocent fit 21-year-old man who was using the pedestrian crossing and seriously breaking his leg, which may or may not ever be the same again."

At the hearing on Friday, May 26, a 12 month community order was imposed including 10 rehabilitation activity days and 80 hours of unpaid work.

Fudge was also banned from driving for 12 months and must pay £400 in costs plus a £114 victim surcharge.