Shrewsbury Royal Mail lorry driver caused police car collision

Russell Jones, 46, drove his lorry out of the St Giles Business Park in Newtown and into the path of the police car which was on the way to an emergency on the A483 Pool Road.

The two officers who were in the car, which had its blue lights flashing and sirens sounding, were injured.

One suffered serious injuries to his hand and a deep cut to his face.

Jones, of Kenley Avenue, Heath Farm Estate, had earlier admitted a charge of driving without due care and attention and appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court yesterday for sentencing.

He was given six penalty points on his licence and fined £200.

He was also ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs by magistrates.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said a marked police car carrying two officers was travelling north along the A483 leaving Newtown on an emergency call when the crash happened.

She said: "They had the strobe lights flashing and the siren sounding as they were responding to an emergency call and were travelling at speed.

"As they approached the St Giles Park a Royal Mail lorry pulled out and there was a collision.

"One officer suffered a ligament injury to his hand, a broken hand, concussion and a laceration to his head and has not yet been able to return to work from his injuries.

"He has undergone counselling for the affects the crash has had on him and so has his daughter who has been deeply affected by the scar on his head.

"The other officer suffered slight injuries."

Amy Jackson, for Jones, said her client had had an unblemished driving record for almost 30 years.

She added: "He has offered his sincerest apologies to the officers and helped out at the scene. He has not shirked his responsibility and admitted the charge at the earliest opportunity.

"My submission is that this was a momentary lapse in concentration and not something more sinister.

"He has been on a driving course since the incident and is now the most careful driver on the road."