News

Student fined after knocking down toddler

By Stephanie Cockroft
February 13, 2012

AN UNINSURED driver fled from a crash scene in Aldershot, after knocking a four-year-old girl to the ground, a court has heard.

Jonathan Thaper then gave police a fake name to cover his tracks, after 'panicking' about the incident.

Aldershot Magistrates' Court was told on Thursday that the little girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 'sent flying' after being hit by the car, while trying to cross the road with her childminder.

The girl managed to escape the collision with just a few bruises, but was left shaken and shocked by the events, the court was told.

The incident, which took place while the pair were crossing from Church Lane West to Grosvenor Road, could also have been 'much worse'.

University student Thaper, who lives in Grosvenor Road, Aldershot, pleaded guilty to four charges relating to the offence.

The 23-year-old admitted failing to stop after a road accident, driving a vehicle without due care and attention, using a vehicle without third party insurance and obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty.

Reading from the childminder's witness statement, prosecutor Merenda Beckley told the court the woman had checked both ways for traffic.

The statement said: "I was holding her hand. We must have taken one-and-a-half steps when a car cut the corner at what I thought was speed.

"He just hit her and sent her flying."

The woman said the girl travelled about two metres along the road after being hit by the car.

She said the defendant initially got out of the car and she shouted at him to call an ambulance.

But Ms Beckley said Thaper got straight back in the car, despite the woman shouting at him to 'not dare' driving off.

The statement said: "In my opinion he was not driving properly, like he was in a rush to go somewhere.

"Anyone would have stopped and checked it was clear, especially when school children are all around.

"He definitely knew he hit her. I cannot believe she only had a couple of bruises. It could have been much worse."

Ms Beckley said Thaper told police he 'totally panicked' after hitting the girl.

She said officers later stopped him in his car, after the woman had remembered the car's number plate, but he lied and gave them his brother's name.

Ms Beckley said the defendant, a business student, mistakenly thought he was insured to drive the car, which was his father's.

Defending, Leila Ali said the defendant was mortified at what had happened.

She said: "It is one of those occasions where he wishes he could turn back the clock.

"He did not believe he was driving quickly but he knows he was not looking at the road properly.

"Before he knew it, there had been a road collision with a four-year-old little girl."

Miss Ali said the defendant saw the little girl get up, which made him think the collision was not serious.

"He will never use that slip road again and it has really shaken him up", she said.

Presiding magistrate John Quinn told Thaper that the most serious charge was failing to stop after knocking over a child.

As well as being banned from driving for six months, the defendant was ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.

Magistrates fined him £200, ordered him to pay £100 compensation to the girl and also ordered him to pay £105 costs.

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Perhaps his unpaid work could include cleaning up the cigarette ends outside the pub in Grosvenor Road - just a few yards from where he lives - and also the butts outside pubs in Victoria Road - particularly The Goose, The Queen Victoria and Yates.

The butt bins supplied by the pubs are neither adequate or used.

Perhaps the ever observant RBC CCTV unit could be used toi initiate action against the offenders.

Other cleaning opportunities include removing the incessant dog mess on the pavements - again especially along Grosvenor Road - at least Mr Thaper would not have far to travel to "work".