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Off-duty detective admits causing head on crash on Blacker Lane which left elderly couple in hospital
Sandra and Kevan Sercombe who were injured in a road crash on Blacker Lane caused by an off-duty police officer. He pleaded guilty at Leeds Magistrates court yesterday
An off-duty police officer has pleaded guilty to causing a head on crash that left an elderly couple in hospital with serious injuries.
Det Con Phillip Kirby smashed into Kevan and Sandra Sercombe when he veered over the white line while driving round a corner on Blacker Lane last October.
The officer was given six penalty points and a £400 fine, for driving without due care and attention.
Mr and Mrs Sercombe’s family have slammed the punishment given to Kirby this week and said he should have been banned from driving.
Mrs Sercombe, 68, of Netherfield Place, Netherton, was left with a broken spine and her 72-year-old husband’s ribs were broken.
Their daughter, Vicki Telford, said she felt he should have got a tougher sentence.
She said: “My mum has been told that she won’t make a full recovery after what happened. It feels as if he has got off lightly.
“And I was not happy with the way the crash was investigated by the police.”
Kirby, of The Crescent, Netherton, told Leeds Magistrates’ Court he was distracted by his six-year-old son who threw a packet of ham across the dashboard just before driving around a tight bend.
He veered across the white line and straight into Mr and Mrs Sercombe.
During the hearing prosecutor Mike Vittas said: “The road is subject to the national speed limit. It does have some sharp turns and blind corners which means the driver does often have to slow down.
“At the time of the collision the defendant was negotiating the bend and his vehicle went on the wrong side of the carriageway and collided head on with the complainant’s Toyota Yaris
“It is his opinion that he was driving well within the speed limit but too fast for the corner.”
Defending, David Hubbard said Kirby had stopped after the accident and rang an ambulance.
District Judge Christopher Darnton said: “I am quite sure that you, in your professional capacity, are well aware of the consequences of momentary lapses of concentration. It is unfortunate that you allowed your concentration to lapse but I do accept it was a momentary lapse.”
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Monday 20 May 2013
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