Banned driver gets licence concession

[Nwicker60]

Accused's dangerous driving could have caused injury or worse - sheriff

A SHERIFF took what he described as "an exceptional step" of giving a banned driver who survived a serious road accident, his licence back early.
Jack Bamber, 25, was charged with dangerous driving following the crash in which he overtook traffic and his vehicle became airborne and landed in a field.
He sustained multiple injuries and was regarded as "a potential fatality" on his admission to hospital, the court at Wick,heard at the time. Bamber, of 1 Soircha Cottages, Gillock, admitted driving dangerously on the A9 at Mybster, on July 21, 2011, and a record. He was ordered to carry out 300 hours unpaid work and was banned from driving for four-and-a-half years.
Bamber yesterday successfully petitioned the court to have his licence restored, one-and-a-half- years before the disqualification imposed, was due to end.
The court heard of his lucky escape when he originally appeared on March 12, 2012. Bamber was aid to have started his overtaking manoeuvre when he pulled out from a line of traffic.
Fiscal David Barclay said that the driver of an oncoming vehicle slammed on his brakes in an attempt to pull into his nearside. Bamber struck the vehicle he was attempting to overtake and the combined impact of the three vehicles resulted in the accused leaving the road, "literally becoming airbourne" and flying over a drystone dyke before landing in a field.
Bamber's car, crumpled at the front, was extensively damaged and his serious injuries were considered to be life-threatening. Fiscal Barclay said: "He was in a very bad condition and it was five to six hours later before it stabilised."
Mr Barclay was able to report, yesterday, that Bamber had not been in trouble since the accident and was now working for a contractor at the Dounreay plant. His boss submitted a glowing reference about the accused's work ethic and added that resoration of his licence would enable him to take on shift work and boost his earnings.
Commenting on Bamber's crash, Sheriff Berry told him yesterday: "You could have caused serious injury to other people - or worse" but added:"It is not for me to stand in way of a young man progressing his life which includes good employment in which you are clearly highly thought of. I will grant the application as being an exceptionally case".
The sheriff added: "There is a considerable degree of trust on my part in allowing you to get behind the wheel of a vehicle again. A further driving offence would inevitably mean a considerable period of disqualification."
Bamber will first have to sit and pass and extended driving test as part of his original sentence.