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Sunday, 21 February 2021

Dorset Coach Driver Convicted of Dangerous Driving

A Dorset coach driver who lost control and crashed his vehicle was recorded dancing in the driving seat.

Kieron Jury, 27, of Westerham Road, Bournemouth, admitted a charge of dangerous driving when he appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 17th February 2021.

He also admitted a charge of leaving litter.

Dangerous driving is an offence contrary to section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It is an either way offence with a maximum penalty of 6 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction, or 2 years' custody on conviction on indictment.

Magistrates heard that the now unemployed driver was behind the wheel of a 61-seater Scania executive coach, operated by Laguna Travel, when the collision took place near the Ashley Heath roundabout on Sunday, 15th March 2020.

Jury, who was returning from Gatwick Airport, had just left the A31 and joined the A338. Just after the roundabout he lost control of the 17-ton vehicle, which collided with the central reservation before being deflected back across the carriageway and ending up in a ditch.

Charles Nightingale, prosecuting, outlined the unusual circumstances of the offence.

"He was in Hampshire travelling along the A31 to the slip road junction of Ashley Heath roundabout at a time just short of 6 o' clock in the evening," Mr Nightingale said.

"His behaviour as he was travelling along the A31 became increasingly bizarre.

"He was throwing litter out the window, but internal CCTV shows him dancing on the driver's seat, at times not having any control over the vehicle and travelling at speed."

Mr Nightingale said that a witness in a stationary car at the roundabout had been concerned at the speed of the coach as it exited the roundabout.

"It is impossible to say the speed when the vehicle was going round the corner," he added.


Leah Dillon, mitigating, said: "At the time of the incident, this young man was suffering from undiagnosed ADHD.

"He was so remorseful and in fear of why he was behaving like this. He has accessed the relevant agencies to help him. He his on medication and his long-term partner is extremely supportive."

Addressing Jury, Martin Arthur, Presiding Justice, said: "You are lucky you didn't kill yourself or anyone around you, we appreciate it is down to an undiagnosed problem. The end would have been killing yourself and depriving [your partner and son] of a father and a partner.

"You were facing custody, however we are of the belief that we need to deal with the problem, you need help."

Reflecting on events, Jury said: "I do understand the seriousness of my actions. I go to bed every night thinking about it, having this date over my head. I am glad to be able to do my best to move forward."

Jury was handed a 12-month community order with a 3-month electronically monitored curfew and a requirement to complete up to 35 days' rehabilitation activity.

He was also disqualified from driving for 24 months and ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and £95 victim surcharge.

No separate penalty was imposed for the littering offence.

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