A 43-year old man has been jailed after seriously injuring a 17-year-old boy who was out riding his moped because he was using his mobile phone while driving.
Peter Gair, for the prosecution, told Norwich Crown Court how another driver saw Adam Burroughs using his phone as he overtook him. “It was quite apparent this defendant simply was not paying attention. He was more interested in his mobile phone,” he said.
After the crash, Burroughs briefly got out of his car, and his stance and actions seemed to indicate that he knew he had been using his phone in the moments prior to the collision. The victim, who is still undergoing treatment, was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with multiple fractures, including his hip, and bruising.
Records showed that Burroughs had been using his phone at the time of the crash, despite his attempts to hide it, although it is not known to whom he was speaking, said the police.
The defendant already has a conviction for drink-driving and is on bail for another drug-driving offence. He was also on early release from a 68-month sentence for drug-trafficking.
Burroughs pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison and banned from driving for 34 months.
Upon sentencing, Judge Katharine Moore said that Burroughs was seen “fully engaged” with his phone while at the wheel.
“It just shows how important it is to be vigilant while driving,” she said.
It was only “good fortune” that the victim survived the accident, caused by “extremely serious inattention”.
Matthew McNiff, mitigating, said that Burroughs was not under the influence of drink or drugs and that he was fully insured. “He does not for a moment say he was not driving dangerously. He was distracted,” he said, adding that Burroughs wanted to apologise for his actions.
“He has accepted responsibility, he apologises for what has occurred.”
Norfolk Police have applauded the sentence, and have used the case to reiterate the message that driving while using a mobile phone is unacceptable.
“You might not think a momentary glance at a text message is harming anyone but think of what’s going on around you,” said Chief Inspector Kris Barnard.
“Hazards on the road, especially when you are driving at speed can change so quickly and in that moment if you’re not concentrating 100 percent you could easily cause a crash, injure, or kill someone else. Is that text message, notification or selfie really worth it?”
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
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