Motorist who caused Little Plumstead pub crash could be disqualified from driving

Damage to the Brick Kilns pub at Little Plumstead after a crash last month. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Nelu Florin Stoica, 24, was driving a Vauxhall Corsa which struck a Citroen car at junction on Norwich Road, Little Plumstead, near Norwich, sending it flying into the Brick Kilns pub.

Stoica was charged with driving without due care and attention and driving without insurance and had his case listed at Norwich Magistrates Court yesterday.

Neal Carr, prosecuting, said Stoica had been driving 'without due care and attention' he 'failed to slow down or give way at a crossroads, colliding with a Citroen vehicle travelling through the crossroads'.

He said the crash, which happened at about 9.15pm on May 27 this year, caused the Citroen to 'lose control and collide with the wall of the pub' which caused 'substantial damage and shock and fear' to those inside.

Stoica, from Hertfordshire, did not attend court yesterday but the case was proved in his absence and the matter adjourned until January 23 so magistrates can consider disqualification.

As previously reported the Citroen contained only the driver, while there were four people in the Vauxhall. No one was badly injured.

Pensioner Val Graham, from Cromer Road, Hellesdon, was sitting inside the pub at the time.

Speaking following the incident, she said: 'I was sitting at the table talking to my friend and all of a sudden there was this massive explosion.

'I thought it was a bomb, the bang was intense. The force of the impact laid me across the table.'

John Linden, of Norfolk Urban Search and Rescue, said Ms Graham could have been seriously injured had it not been for the bollards outside, which slowed down the car just before the impact.

The crash prompted Paul Anderson-Cowles, who owns the pub, to call for improved safety measures on the crossroads opposite.