Bournemouth hit-and-run crash motorist admits drink driving

Dale Clark had denied drink driving and he was due to go on trial at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 30.

The defendant pleaded guilty to causing serious injuries to pedestrian Rebecca Sharp by driving dangerously when he appeared before a crown court in May.

The charges related to the incident which took place in the Redhill area of Bournemouth on Tuesday, April 11.

On the day of his magistrates’ court trial, Clark changed his plea to guilty in relation to drink driving.

The court heard 38-year-old Clark had 46 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

The prosecution did not wish to proceed with an allegation of drug driving and this charge was dismissed by the bench.

Andrew Coley, prosecuting, told magistrates the circumstances of the case were “a little bit unusual” with the defendant already pleading guilty in the crown court to causing serious injuries by driving dangerously and failing to stop.

As reported, Clark, of York Avenue, New Milton, was at the wheel of a Toyota RAV4 car when he crashed into Mrs Sharp, who is aged in her 30s.

Police investigate the scene of the crash (Image: BNPS)

She was taken to hospital with a life-threatening injury. A baby in the pram Mrs Sharp was pushing at the time of collision was taken to hospital as a precaution but did not sustain any injuries.

A police cordon was put in place following the incident to allow a detailed investigation of the scene to be carried out by officers.

Mr Coley said there was due to be a hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court next week to give an update on the magistrates’ court proceedings.

It is expected a sentencing date will be set for later in the year, with a pre-sentence report produced on the defendant before a crown court judge sentences him for the three offences he has admitted.

Clark is remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing and he has received an interim driving ban.