Wakefield driver who abandoned car after crash is jailed after being traced by DNA

A motorist who abandoned a car after a crash in Wakefield was traced after his DNA was found on blood on the driver’s air bag.
Leeds Crown CourtLeeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court

Leeds Crown Court heard another driver witnessed the accident when he was driving in Horbury Road, Wakefield, just after midnight on March 28 and saw a Vauxhall Zafira car appear at speed.

The driver of the vehicle appeared to lose control, the car struck a concrete traffic island and then demolished part of a fence at the Redoubt public house.

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James Weekes prosecuting told the court that witness stopped to help, thinking people might be injured and saw two girls and a man get out of the passenger side of the vehicle.

The driver’s door could not be opened and the male appeared dazed and confused before they all made off. The car worth £3,000 was written off and £1,000 damage was caused to the fence.

The DNA in a smear of blood on the airbag was later traced to Thomas William Purves who was banned from driving at the time and claimed not to have been behind the wheel saying he had only been a passenger having been offered a lift in the vehicle.

Richard Gioserano representing Purves said he now accepted responsibility and would use his time in custody to address his substance misuse problems.

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“He knows he is no longer a teenager and if he doesn’t sort his life out soon he knows what will happen,” he said.

Purves, 23, of Esther Grove, Lupset, Wakefield, admitted dangerous driving and driving while disqualified and was jailed for 14 months with 12 months disqualification.

Judge James Spencer QC said the offence was aggravated by his previous disqualification and the fact he put others on the road at risk that night.

“You had some girls in the car you were driving so dangerously that coming out of a side road on to a main road you struck a traffic island and the fence causing damage and then made good your escape. You have had your chances and now it is payback time,” the judge added.