Only these four know how a pensioner, 72, was critically injured in hit-and-run… but none will face justice because they won’t snitch on each other
They were all in the stolen vehicle which left a trail of destruction, including running over the OAP and leaving him for dead
ONLY these four people know exactly how a pensioner was left critically injured in a hit and run - and not one of them is saying.
One of the three men was behind the wheel of the car which left 72-year-old Alexander McDonald seriously injured on a zebra crossing.
But none will face justice for it because it can’t be proved who was responsible.
Colin Gorman, Gary Shackleton and Louis Jardine were all in the stolen vehicle which left a trail of destruction, including running over Mr McDonald and leaving him for dead.
However, prosecutors were unable to prove which was behind the wheel when it hit the pensioner in North Shields, meaning no-one will be punished for it.
A court heard the three men, along with front seat passenger Jade Stewart, brought chaos to the roads before and after the collision which left Mr McDonald with broken bones and life-changing injuries.
CCTV footage showed the moment the four ran away from their crashed car on the North Shields Fish Quay with workers chasing after them. Another shows them driving the wrong way down a street in Tynemouth.
Witnesses said whoever the man was behind the wheel he was under the influence of drink or drugs but prosecutors have been unable to prove which of them it was.
Sentencing them for aggravated vehicle taking, Recorder William Lowe QC said: “It is the case that the driver of the vehicle at that point was one of the defendants.
“It’s not possible to prove to the required standard who was the driver.
“Had it been so, the CPS would have brought a charge of GBH, which has a maximum sentence of five years. This offence has a maximum of two years and I have to give a discount for guilty pleas.”
The court heard a Proton car was stolen in the West End of Newcastle, in April last year.
A driving instructor on Westmorland Road became aware of the car being driven erratically behind him.
At times it was on the wrong side of the road and there was smoke coming from its tyres.
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Around 90 minutes later the car was on Saville Street, North Shields, again being driven erratically.
Richard Herrmann, prosecuting, said: “The very unfortunate witness, Alexander McDonald, who was 72 at the time, was struck by the vehicle on a zebra crossing, causing him life-changing injuries.
“Mr McDonald had been to the shops and, having looked both ways and satisfied himself it was safe to cross, he began to cross and the vehicle hit him.
“A witness looked to her right down the street where the crossing was and she saw the body of Mr McDonald being flung into the air by the collision.”
The pensioner, who was a keen golfer, suffered a break to the top of his arm and shoulder area, his right leg was fractured and he needed stitches to his forehead and had other cuts and bruises to his body.
Mr Herrmann said: “It’s fair to say they are described as very significant injuries but much more important is the impact it’s had on his life.
“He says those uninformed may think what happened was a shame but the aftermath was a positive nightmare to him.”
The Proton was then driven to Cullercoats, where the four occupants jumped off the pier into the sea, the court heard.
They were spoken to about doing so for their own safety by a police officer, who had no idea about what had happened earlier.
After returning to the car, which they hot-wired, it was reversed at speed, hitting two parked cars. From this point on, Gorman admits he was behind the wheel.
As the car came out of Victoria Terrace at high speed, a cyclist had to take evasive action and there was more wheel spinning and smoking tyres as Gorman drove towards Tynemouth.
Police began chasing but had to give up because it became too dangerous.
The Proton then turned right on to busy Front Street, going the wrong way down the one-way system.
A woman with her two daughters was on King’s Road, when the car hit a kerb close to her and spun out of control across the road and into the other kerb, leaving her scared.
From there, Gorman drove to the Fish Quay at North Shields, at speed down Tanner’s Bank then skidding and hitting two bollards before crashing into a brick wall and a Mercedes.
Mr Herrmann said: “The four defendants got out and ran off, chased by some workers.”
Gorman, 29, of Mill House, Newcastle, admitted aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving after the trip to Cullercoats. He also admitted failing to provide a breath specimen, failing to stop and having no licence or insurance. He was jailed for 15 months and banned from driving for four years.
Shackleton, 29, of Canning Street, Benwell, pleaded guilty to two charges of aggravated vehicle taking and was jailed for eight months.
Jardine, 23, of Aden Place, Slatyford, admitted two counts of aggravated vehicle taking and was given nine months suspended for 12 months.
Stewart, 21, of Gill Street, Benwell, all Newcastle, admitted two counts of aggravated vehicle taking and was given a 12 month community order with a two month curfew.
Mark Saunders, for Gorman, said he pleaded guilty on the basis he was a passenger at the point Mr McDonald was struck.
Jeff Taylor, for Shackleton, said: “He can’t hide from the fact this was a very serious incident but I submit he was not the driver and that is reflected by the charges.”
Rachel Hedworth, for Jardine, said he also insisted he had just been a passenger. Miss Hedworth added: “He got into this car not knowing it had been stolen.”
Paul Caulfield, for Stewart, said: “She was horrified and still is to this day”
After the case, Chief Insp John Heckels, said: “I am glad the judge has seen it fit to hand down some custodial sentences.
“Even when they had been identified as being in the car that morning they refused to co-operate with police and they put the victims in this case through the ordeal of a trial.”