A man arrested following a serious crash in which a woman in her 70s suffered life-changing injuries has been sentenced after the more serious charges were dropped.
Nevin Pennington, 31, had been due to stand trial having been charged over a hit-and-run crash on Edward Street, Norwich, where an elderly pedestrian was knocked down.
Pennington had denied a number of offences, including driving without due care and attention on April 5 last year, failing to stop and report a road accident and failing to give driver information.
He was due to stand trial at Norwich Magistrates Court on Wednesday (March 18) but admitted two offences, failing to give information relating to the identity of the driver and failing to provide a specimen of blood for analysis.
The court heard the other charges had been discontinued.
Margaret Morrissey, prosecuting, said the victim of the crash suffered “life-changing injuries”, adding that the investigation led police to Pennington’s address.
Pennington was found to have keys to the car believed to have been involved in the crash and also the dog seen by some of the witnesses in the car at the time of the crash.
He was arrested by officers who smelt alcohol on his breath, although he refused to provide a sample for analysis or give information about the driver.
Pennington, of Vauxhall Street, Norwich, admitted both offences and was banned from driving for 24 months and given a 12-month community order, including 80 hours’ unpaid work and 15 days’ rehabilitation activity requirement.
Dave Foulkes, mitigating, said police were satisfied they did not have evidence Pennington was involved in the crash otherwise “they would’ve pursued the other charges which are now discontinued”.
He said it had been the crown’s case that Pennington “had keys to a vehicle that was suspected of being involved in an accident” but insisted they could not show it was his vehicle which and “accept that by not pursuing the charges”.
Mr Foulkes said Pennington “suffered from anxiety” and relied on his mother “quite heavily for support”.
Pennington was also ordered to pay £200 costs and an £85 surcharge.
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