Taxi driver jailed for running down road worker

AN impatient taxi driver has been jailed for running down a road worker on the A49.

Ronald Payne deliberately hit Ewan Chalmers after being told that he could not use a section of the main road between Hereford and Ross-on-Wye.

Worcester Crown Court heard that Payne was travelling at a speed of around “20 to 30 miles per hour” when he hit Mr Chalmers.

Payne, aged 61 and from The Claytons, Bridstow, near Ross-on-Wye, admitted dangerous driving and common assault at last week’s hearing.

Michael Conroy, prosecuting, said a row broke out when Mr Chalmers told Payne that he could not pass through a set of road works at 9pm on June 24.

Mr Conroy said: “You hit Mr Chalmers, according to him, at around 20-30 miles per hour.

“He found himself on the bonnet of the car and was carried 50-60 metres before falling into the road.

“You, Mr Payne, told the police you drove off and left him there because you thought ‘he looked alright’.”

Mr Chalmers did not suffer any major injuries and was back to work the next day.

Payne, who has diabetes and cares for his 82-year-old mother, handed in his notice to the taxi company he was driving for knowing he was going to lose his job.

Mark Thompson, defending, said: “Mr Payne was ill with his diabetic condition at the time and needed to get home. This caused his momentarily lapse in concentration.

“He is also illiterate which has caused him embarrassment his whole life, he is a man who has always worked hard but had a hard life so far.

“This 61-year-old man has lost his livelihood already and with the situation with his 82-year-old mother, is not a man who would cope well with prison.”

However, Judge Toby Hooper jailed Payne for two months and imposed a 12-month driving ban.

He said: “I give you full credit for your plea of guilty, but this is an appalling case of reckless driving that could have resulted in death.”

Speaking after the sentencing, Wayne Norris, the Highways Agency lead officer for Midlands roadworker safety, said: “This case sends out a message that such behaviour will not be tolerated and drivers who abuse our workers will face the full weight of the law.”

And Kathryn Richardson, from Herefordshire’s highways contractor Amey, added: “We would like to remind road users that our employees are not simply roadworkers, they are mums, dads, husbands, wives, sons and daughters and we appeal to drivers to consider how they would feel about working in an area only a few feet from live traffic.”

source: http://www.herefordtimes.com/