Drunk hit and run driver injured four

2:00am Saturday 19th July 2008

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A BANNED motorist has admitted responsibility for a hit and run accident in which four people were hurt.

Jason Cuthbertson was driving an unlawfully taken Citroen Saxo which ploughed into a passing Fiat Panda, on the A691 Consett to Durham road.

Cuthbertson was believed to be the only person in the Saxo, taken earlier on Friday December 14, last year.

The accident happened as he pulled out of a side road at a junction in Lanchester and drove into the Panda, which was heading through the village on the A691.

He drove off after the accident, but was later arrested and tested positive for drink driving.

Cuthbertson yesterday appeared at Durham Crown Court for a plea hearing.

He admitted aggravated vehicle taking, during which he was responsible for an accident in which the Panda driver and passengers, Duncan Robinson, Stephen Knights, Amy Johnston and Adam Hegerty, were injured.

He also admitted driving while disqualified, with excess alcohol, failing to stop after an accident and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

Sentence was adjourned until August 29 for reports and Cuthbertson was bailed on condition he lives at an address in Fairfield, Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham.