‘Show-off’ driver denies claims

CHRISTOPHER DALE

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A 17-YEAR-OLD driver accused of “showing off” to two girls he picked up minutes before he hit a schoolboy went into the witness box to defend his actions.

Danny Pattinson, now 18, is accused of killing 15-year-old Christopher Dale, of Bramble Avenue, Moorside, in a road accident on June 13, 2009.

He denies causing death by dangerous driving and death by careless driving.

Back-seat passengers at the time of the collision were 16-year-olds Suzanne Bennett and Megan Shaw.

They told Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court they had been screaming, first in excitement, but then “in fear” as Pattinson drove his mother’s Mini Cooper at speed through Lees high street with the radio blasting out and steering with one hand.

But Pattinson told the court yesterday these, and other testimonies, were untrue.

Another witness had described having to jump to avoid the speeding Mini Cooper as he crossed the street, but Pattinson said he didn’t remember. He said he did a U-turn to pick up the girls when they whistled and said: “Can you give us a lift?”

Pattinson told police after the collision, he had beeped when he saw a group but hadn’t deemed it necessary to slow down.

He said in his statement: “I beeped my horn as much as I could and they ran across but a boy stayed in the road.

“I put my brakes on as hard as I could, but I couldn’t avoid him.”

Michael Leeming, prosecuting, said: “Careful drivers wouldn’t have exceeded the speed limit in a built up area.

He said a “competent driver” would have heeded the screams of passengers, slowed down and sought to ensure those crossing the road could do so safely.

“This was a dangerous driver. His driving was practically and legally dangerous. He was not careful or competent. The collision was avoidable.”

The case continues.