Car-death youth ‘was not driving dangerously’

KILLED . . . Christopher Dale

A TEENAGER who knocked down a 15-year old Oldham boy while allegedly speeding in his mum’s car, was not driving dangerously a court has been told.

Danny Pattinson (18), did what any reasonable driver would have done when he spotted a group of youngsters crossing the road in front of him, a trial jury heard.

He maintains that he sounded the horn of the Mini Cooper S, then immediately “backed off” on the accelerator to reduce speed.

Tragically, while others in the group managed to reach safety, 15-year old Christopher Dale, who it was said didn’t see the vehicle until it was too late, was hit.

Christopher, of Bramble Avenue, Moorside, was flung into the air by the impact, and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards at the Royal Oldham Hospital, despite desperate attempts by police officers and ambulance paramedics to revive him.

The jury had earlier been told that Pattinson, could have been “showing off” to two young girl passengers he had just picked up.

The two 16-year-olds described how he had set off at speed, turned up the volume on his car stereo, and drove with just one hand on the wheel.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told that their initial screams of fun quickly turned to screams of fright, as the Mini was driven through High Street in Lees, Oldham, then on to Lees Road, late on Saturday, June 13, last year. One said she was so scared she covered her eyes.

Michael Leeming prosecuting, said the car had travelled through Lees village at up to speeds of 40mph in a 30mph limit.

It has been alleged the vehicle was still above the limit as it went downhill in the direction of Oldham, to where Christopher was crossing the road with pal Samantha Draper, opposite to the old mill, near the junction with Lees Road and Wellyhole Street.

Mark Savill defending, told the court however that there were “significant” discrepancies in evidence given by witnesses.

One described the Mini as having been “snaking all over the road”, while another said the car appeared to have been travelling at about or only slightly above the speed limit.

The court was told that most of the group had time to get across the road safely, but Christopher, and pal Samantha Draper had been following behind.

Samantha said that as they tried to cross, the car missed her by a whisker, but hit Christopher.

Mr Savill put it to the jury: “The vehicle would have had to be going at astronomic speed to have gone down the road that quickly. Obviously something went badly wrong that night. Was it the speed or dangerousness of the driving however, or very bad luck?”

Pattinson, from Trows Lane, Rochdale, pleads not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, and an alternative lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.
(Proceeding)