Pensioner John Banks banned from driving for life after A249 horror crash leaves biker Ivor Presland critically ill
by Hayley Robinson
A pensioner has been banned from driving for the rest of
his life after causing an accident that left a motorcyclist
critically injured.
Skoda driver John Banks, 84, was towing a caravan along the A249
towards Sittingbourne when he turned into the Hucking u-turn
junction.
But as he did, biker Ivor Presland (pictured left) and pillion
passenger Lucy Foreman collided with the rear
offside of the caravan and were thrown into the Maidstone-bound
carriageway.
Mr Presland, who suffered a punctured lung, crushed hand, broken
ribs and a broken nose, was airlifted to the Royal London
Hospital.
Doctors gave him just hours to live – but after seven weeks of
treatment, the 53-year-old retuned to his home in Richmond Road,
Gillingham.
Ms Foreman suffered a grazed left leg, but later needed a skin
graft due to infection.
Banks, the father of former Murston ward councillor David Banks,
was initially charged with dangerous driving.
But when he appeared before Maidstone Magistrates' Court, he
pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving without due care and
attention.
As well as being banned from driving, Banks, of Wolseley Avenue,
Herne Bay, was also fined £500, ordered to pay a victim surcharge
of £15 and told to pay costs of £500.
"I wanted him off the road. I didn't want him to still be out there potentially killing people or wounding others like he did me...” – crash victim Ivor Presland
Both sides of the A249 were closed while an investigation was
carried out by the police's serious collision unit.
Bank was driving to meet his son and his two small
grandchildren for a camping trip in Yalding when the accident
happened at about 5pm on May 27 last year. He has not driven
since.
Speaking on behalf of his father after the hearing, Mr Banks
junior said: "When he got into court he was very, very nervous.
"He's never been to court or been in trouble with the police
before.
"He's very remorseful it happened. He's had lots of sleepless
nights since the accident.
"He didn't want to go out and hurt someone that day - his
intentions were to go away for the weekend, not put two people in
hospital. He never wanted that.
"It's a relief for him now it's all over. He says he goes out
the front where his car used to be and he just looks at the
driveway - he's lost his independence.
"If he wants to go to the shop or the doctors', he has to rely
on my brother or find another way of getting around.
"He also can't just get in the car and drive down to see the
family."
Motorist John Banks was
sentenced at Maidstone Magistrates' Court
Mr Presland, who was in court with a group of biker friends,
said he is happy with the sentence.
The dad-of-six said: "I felt it was right. I wanted him off the
road. I didn't want him to still be out there potentially killing
people or wounding others like he did me.
"My leg is still broken and I'm still on crutches 18 months
after the accident.
"I've got to have another operation on my leg and another couple
of operations on my left hand.
"Hopefully I'll be able to ride a motorbike again one day."
06/12/12
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