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.
Around 90 minutes later the car was on Saville Street, North Shields, again being driven erratically.