Drink-driver jailed after crashing into mother who managed to push baby's pram to safety

Rebecca Sharp was "left for dead" after she managed to push her daughter's pram out of the way of Dale Clark's car.

Monday 23 October 2023 17:40, UK

A drink-driver has been jailed after crashing into a mother who pushed her baby's pram out of the way to safety.

Dale Clark previously pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving after he left 36-year-old Rebecca Sharp "lying unconscious in the road".

And on Monday, he was jailed for three years and eight months at Bournemouth Crown Court.

At a separate hearing, the 38-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to drink-driving and he has been banned from driving for six years, with an extension period of one year and 10 months.

A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesman said Clark was speeding in his Toyota Rav-4 when he struck Mrs Sharp as she was pushing her daughter in a pram across a road in Bournemouth around 9am on 11 April.

He added: "Mrs Sharp, 36, was able to push her daughter to safety moments before being hit and suffered near fatal head injuries, from which she is still recovering.

"The motorist initially denied he was over the drink-drive limit, but working with police, CPS prosecutors were able to prove Clark's driving was impaired by alcohol he consumed the previous night - thanks to CCTV and witness evidence.

"Instead of stopping at the scene, Clark fled and left Mrs Sharp lying unconscious in the middle of the road.

"One witness memorised Clark's number plate before rushing to Mrs Sharp's aid with another driver."

Clark, of New Milton, Hampshire, was arrested several hours later and was breathalysed giving a reading of 46 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath - above the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

The CPS spokesman continued: "He claimed he had been drinking at a pub in New Milton following the crash.

"However, CCTV inquiries at the pub in question proved Clark had not visited. In addition, a cleaner who worked at an inn Clark had stayed in the previous evening reported finding two empty litre bottles of vodka in his room."

Andrew Coley, senior crown prosecutor for CPS Wessex, said: "This incident has shattered the lives of Mrs Sharp and her family.

"It is especially shocking that when Clark saw Mrs Sharp on the ground with her young child nearby, he chose not to stop and instead left her for dead."

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