A SCHOOLBOY from Dawlish who caused a serious accident just days after passing his test has been banned from driving.
William Bryant left an elderly couple in hospital for a total of 26 weeks with serious spinal and rib injuries after smashing into their car when he failed to stop at a junction.
Bryant was only 17 at the time and was on his way home to Dawlish from Torquay Boy’s Grammar School, where he has just finished his A levels.
He had passed his driving test just 11 days before the accident at Beechfield Avenue, Torquay, on November 4 last year.
The driver of the other car, Bernard Connelly, aged 86, and his wife Patricia, aged 83, both suffered serious injuries. Mr Connlelly suffered a snapped vertebra and spent 16 weeks in hospital. Mrs Connelly suffered five broken ribs, a broken wrist and a fractured knee and spent 10 weeks in hospital.
The court heard they are a devoted couple who are now back at home but made a victim impact statement saying the worst part of their ordeal was being apart while in hospital.
They also asked the prosecution to reduce the charge from dangerous to careless driving because they did not want to blight a young man’s life.
Bryant, now 18, of Barton Crescent, Dawlish, admitted careless driving and was conditionally discharged for 16 months and ordered to pay £65 costs by Recorder Mr Jeremy Wright at Exeter Crown Court.
He endorsed his licence with six points, which means he must surrender it because he is a probationary driver. He will have to take a new test before he can drive again.
The judge told him he had shown genuine remorse and should be grateful to the generous attitude shown by Mr and Mrs Connelly.
Miss Janice Eagles, prosecuting, said Bryant had only obtained his full licence on October 24 and was on his way home from school with two passengers when the accident happened at around 2.30 pm.
Bryant’s Vauxhall Agila was seen by other drivers turning right across a junction where he did not have right of way, pulling out in front of Mr Connelly’s Renault Berlingo.
Mr Connelly was driving at only 25 mph but had no chance to avoid the collision, which spun his car around into a lamp post. Bryant’s car went down a bank but he and his passengers were unhurt.
Mr Lee Bremridge, defending, said Bryant was so shocked by the accident that he has not driven since. He has also delayed his university entrance by a year to give himself more time to come to terms with it.
He has genuine remorse and reports from his teachers at the grammar school have written glowing references. He comes from a supportive and loving family.
Mr Bremridge said that regardless of the result of this case, the cost of insurance will keep him off the roads for the foreseeable future.