June 7th 2024.
Thomas Lockley, a 39-year-old man, found himself in quite a predicament after causing a car accident while he was off-duty. The incident occurred on a quiet country lane in Cranbourne, Dorset, where he was driving with his two-year-old son. As he was focused on the road, his son's blanket suddenly fell down and in an attempt to fix it, Thomas took his eyes off the road. This resulted in his BMW drifting into the opposite lane and colliding head-on with a Kia, which was being driven by Keith Lanham.
After the impact, a witness suggested calling the police, but Thomas insisted that there was no need to involve them. He simply stated that he had veered off and hit the other car. However, the court heard that Thomas was actually a police officer himself. He even went as far as telling the other driver that he could handle the situation on his own. Despite Mr. Lanham's request for Thomas to identify himself, he claimed that he did not have his ID with him and that he was based at the Bournemouth station. He then walked away from the scene.
Thomas then called his father-in-law to come and collect his son, and without providing his details, he left the scene with them. As a result, he was charged with driving without due care and failing to stop after an accident. The court pointed out that according to the Road Traffic Act, it is mandatory for drivers involved in an accident to stop and provide their details, especially in cases where there is injury or damage.
In his defense, Thomas stated that he made a split-second decision to leave the scene after Mr. Lanham became hostile towards him. His lawyer, Miranda Zeffman, explained that as a police officer, Thomas knew that in cases where no one is injured and the road is not obstructed, it is not necessary to call the police. She also mentioned that her client was suffering from depression and anxiety, which had caused him to take time off work or work reduced hours.
The court ultimately ordered Thomas to pay £721 in fines and costs, and he also received seven points on his driving license. Although he deeply regrets his actions, Thomas made a mistake in the heat of the moment. It was not a deliberate attempt to evade responsibility, but rather a result of a misunderstanding. Despite this, he was reminded of the importance of following the law and taking responsibility for one's actions.
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