Leeds Halloween ride out banned driver stole mother's car and hit 90-year-old man

The Toyota Auris 28-year-old Ben Colley was driving struck the pensioner as he crossed the road to a bus stop at a roundabout at Whincover Drive, Farnley, Leeds Crown Court heard.

The pensioner suffered serious injuries including multiple fractures to his spine and fractures to his skull, pelvis and ankle during the collision at 1.30pm on October 15 2018.

Prosecutor, Andrew Horton said Colley was handed a 12-month driving ban in November 2015 for drink driving.

Mr Horton said Colley was involved in the Halloween ride out in October 2016 when dozens of motorbike riders congregated on Kirkstall Road before riding through pedestrian areas of Leeds city centre.

Colley was jailed for 14-months and banned from driving for 23-months in July 2017 for offences of causing a public nuisance and for driving while disqualified.

Mr Horton said on October 15 2018, Colley took his mother's blue Toyota Auris from her home without permission and was driving it when he struck the pensioner.

A witness said Colley was driving at between 20 and 25mph when he hit the pensioner.

Mr Horton said Colley overtook a parked bus before the collision, adding: "It appears the collision was caused by inattention by the defendant as he passed the bus, which means he didn't see the victim in the road. There's no suggestion of speeding."

Mr Horton said the pensioner had to undergo surgery and later suffered a heart attack while recovering at a rehabilitation centre.

Colley, of Lumby Lane, Pudsey, was arrested at the scene and admitted being the driver.

One month after hitting the pensioner, Colley suffered serious injuries including a fractured spine and ribs after crashing a motorbike he was riding while disqualified.

In May 2019 He was handed a 12-week suspended prison sentence and a further driving ban, which was due to end in May this year.

Father-of-one Colley admitted causing serious injury by driving while disqualified and aggravated vehicle taking in connection with the October 15 2018 incident.

Probation officer Mick Berry said: "The plan was for him to drive a short distance to buy tobacco.

"He knew where the car key was and accepts he took it without permission. He effectively chanced his arm. He accepted full responsibility."

Matthew Morrow, mitigating said: "He accepts he made a catastrophic decision to take his mother's car. He had never driven it before."

Mr Morrow added: "He is genuinely sorry and remorseful for what took place."

Jailing Colley for two-years, Judge Simon Batiste told him he had caused "catastrophic" injuries to the 90-year-old man.

Judge Batiste said: "It is clear in my judgement that you have little remorse other than for the circumstances that you now find yourself in."

Colley was banned from driving for five-years.