Freak weather stymied Kirkby man's getaway from law

Freak weather conditions caused a Kirkby man to crash his MG sports car as he fled from police while driving without insurance or a license.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.Mansfield Magistrates Court.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.

Steven James Hodgkinson, 27, of Cherry Avenue, admitted the offences at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Robert Carr, prosecuting, told the court police officers spotted the MG travelling without lights and followed it on to Redbarn Way in Sutton, shortly after midnight on April 27.

He said: “They found it had struck a kerb and had been damaged. It disgorged a number of passengers who all ran off.

“Mr Hodgkinson was detained and was recognised as the driver.”

In interview, Hodgkinson told police he had bought the car three days earlier.

James Whyley, mitigating, said: “Freak weather conditions caused the car to slide into the kerb. It snowed and it hailed. The gritters were out. It was very odd for the end of April.

“He panicked and drove away, slid and caused the damage.”

It emerged Hodgkinson only held a provisional licence under a different name.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £30.

Six points were added to his licence and his car was seized.

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