Mum and daughter’s ‘life-changing’ injuries after sheet of glass smashed into windscreen on Acle Straight

The glass sheared off in windy conditions when it was being transported by Tyrone Parish, a glazier and locksmith for Norwich Glass.

Andrea Lock, prosecuting, told Norwich Crown Court the pane was 14ft by 7ft and was too big for the external carrying frame - even blocking the driver's door. She said it was an 'unsuitable' vehicle for a load that size.

UPDATE: Blofield glazier accused of causing serious injury by dangerous driving when 14ft sheet of glass sheared off vehicle thought it had been 'safe and secure'

Ms Lock said Parish, 29, of Ropes Walk, Blofield, was travelling towards Norwich with colleagues when the accident happened.

She added: 'It was simply good luck not good judgement that an incident of this kind had not happened earlier. It would have been obvious to any competent and careful driver that it was dangerous.'

She said an expert investigation concluded the vehicle was not suitable for carrying a load of this size and the piece of glass, which was unsupported by the frame, had been exposed to sideways force, causing it to break away from the frame.

Parish has denied causing serious injury by dangerous driving on May 19, 2015.

In a statement read to the jury driver Sandra Mayall said she had just picked up her daughter and they were heading out to do some shopping when the accident happened.

She said the glass had struck the front of her car and both she and her daughter were showered with glass.

In police interview, Parish said it did not cross his mind the wind might have caused the glass the break off but admitted he slowed his speed because of the conditions.

He said he had no formal instructions about loading the glass.

His barrister Ian Bridge told the jury the issue they had to decide was whether it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving that vehicle that day would be dangerous.

The trial continues.