BREAKING NEWS IN HIT AND RUN COURT CASE

[Kate]

Article written by Addiscombe Rider and SLH Triathlete Ed Thruston

Good evening everyone.

As you may or may not know fellow Addiscombe CC club rider Kate Hewett was knocked off her bike whilst on a club run back in June 2009. Whilst cycling along the A23 back into Coulsdon, Kate was overtaken by a car who then suddenly turned left in Hollymeoak Road knocking Kate to the ground. The driver then stopped the car, took a look out of the window, and drove off leaving Kate for dead lying in the middle of the road. Luckily for Kate a passing postman witnessed the whole event and between them managed to write down the vehicle's licence plate. After months of waiting the case finally came to trial today.

Kate attended Bexley Heath Magistrates Court and gave evidence against a man charged with 3 offences; (1) Driving without due care and attention; (2) Failing to stop at the scene of an accident; and (3) Failing to report ad accident.

After having taken the stand for over an hour and faced cross examination from one of the most poisonous, lying scumbag defence barrister's I have ever seen, Kate gave an accurate and compelling account of the hit and run. After further evidence from the independent witness (Mr Postman) the defence had their turn. It was a pathetic account of lies, inconsistency and b*llshit.

They repeatedly attempted to claim that Kate was riding on the pavement and had run a series of red lights, eventually causing herself to crash and in a moment of embarrassment, sought to blame the driver in question.

THE RESULT: After a 4-hour trial the Magistrates returned to give their verdict. GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES.
The defendant, Mr Barry Dolling was found guilty on all charges, given 7 Points on his driving licence and ordered to pay £500 costs to the court.

I thought this was worth mentioning to you all given the scale and potential implications this may have for any other riders who have faced similar circumstances in suffering abuse from other road users. Today certainly proved to Kate and I that, no matter the circumstances, it is worth pressing for justice.

We look forward to seeing you all on the next Saturday club run.

Ed and Kate.

[LeeS]

Good for you for keeping with it. Its probably the case that most people will be put off dealing with something like this because of the accusations put against the injured party that they were in fact in the wrong. Not to mention the time and stress.
I can never understand why if somebody does something wrong they can't just admit to it especially when if it is so obvious.
The arrogance of some people is beyond belief but eventually they get brought down to earth. Well done.

[Snoop Doug]

Persistence can be a wonderful quality and this shows why

[Keith]

Well done for sticking with this. The easy way out would have been to let it go, and not to have worry about it for the last 18 month and to face appearing in court.

It's also reinforces ones faith in people when a witness also puts themself out to ensure the right thing is done.

[Rob Q]

Well done Kate for sticking with it and Im glad the outcome was in your favour. There is some justice after all
Be careful out there folks.

[Ivor]

Well done Kate.

[David Lombari]

well done both of you, especially Kate.

have to say the 'sentence' seems a bit light, isn't that equivalent to being guilty of doing 80 in a 50 a couple of times?

[Sylv]

I didn't know about that crash. Assuming there was no corporal damage as I think I saw Kate doing the run in Banstead around August/September I think! (and also no compensation mentioned).

I hope we have no barristers in the club (actually I know we have )

[Andrew G]

Hadn't known about this and glad you are okay Kate. Well done for pushing through with this and nice to hear of a positive outcome, although as David says the sentence seems a bit light. I would have thought it would be at least a year's ban for a hit and run of this nature.

[Antloony]

[quote="Andrew G"]I would have thought it would be at least a year's ban for a hit and run of this nature.

[Mike I]

Well done for persisting with this, although I would have thought that charges 2 and 3 would result in a ban - even if Mr Dolling had been telling the truth, his story would be no defence to these charges. Still, his increased insurance premiums will add to the pain, and proving civil liability will be a piece of cake on the back of a conviction.

I suppose the barrister was just doing his job. It sounds like the postie was doing his and more. Good man!

[Amy]

Good for you, Kate and good on the postie!

Hopefully this will make Mr Dolling think twice about cutting up cyclists and them blaming his bad driving on us

[Roy Green]

A good outcome for what could have been very nasty for you, Kate, and what was a very unpleasant court scene anyway (apart from the result). Posties generally ride bikes: we could make this guy an Honorary Addiscombe Member, in appreciation.

[Tamar]

What a horrible experience. I can't believe they tried to make out it was your fault Kate! How can these people sleep at night? Lying bloody sh1t. Really impressed you saw it through - well done.

[George]

I remember one I was in court for totting up points, I think the wheelie put me over the 12.

I gave them as good as they gave you Kate .... I had an estranged wife and 3 kids , went down well with the judge after that he was very lenient with the fine