South Tyneside man fined for failing to reveal who smashed his BMW into two lampposts
Man fined for not identifying the driver of his BMW after it crashed into lampposts.
A South Tyneside man who stayed silent when police demanded to know who was driving his car when it smashed into two lamp posts has been hauled into court.
Wayne Riley, 37, was prosecuted for failing to reveal who was at the wheel at the time of the crash on Tuesday, February 3.
His BMW 320 was found abandoned on the A194 Leam Lane at Jarrow, leading police to write to him to demand further information.
But Riley, of Chesterton Road, Biddick Hall, did not respond, leading to his prosecution and appearance at the borough’s magistrates’ court.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a vehicle when required – and was handed six penalty points.
Further charges of driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after an accident were dropped by prosecutor Christopher O’Brien.
Mr O’Brien told the hearing: “On February 3 on the A194, a police officer attended the aftermath of a road traffic collision.
“A car had hit two lampposts and was found unattended. It was registered to the defendant. The officer delivered a notification on February 8. It was not complied with.
“He has 12 previous convictions from 17 offences, the last in 2020 and nothing relevant to this matter. The offence carries up to six penalty points.”
David Forrester, defending, said only: “He’s in receipt of benefits and has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He has no points on his licence.”
Alongside the penalty points, District Judge Zoe Passfield fined Riley £120 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
She told him: “I give you full credit for your guilty plea. If you reach 12 points you will be automatically disqualified for six months.”