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Penwortham collision driver avoids jail after forgiveness letter from victim

Posted on - 8th October, 2015 - 10:01pm | Author - | Posted in - Crime, Penwortham, Preston News, Ribbleton
Carleton Drive where the collision took place

Carleton Drive where the collision took place

A man who was mown down by a drug driver wrote a letter to the motorist urging him to forgive himself.

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Neil Masterson spent six days in hospital after being ploughed down by a Seat Ibiza driven by Daniel Dacre on June 26.

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Dacre had taken amphetamines and cannabis in the days before he took to the wheel to drive to the tip in South Ribble.

But on his return journey he suddenly felt exhausted and thought there was smoke in the car.

As he wound down the window, the car mounted the kerb and ploughed into Mr Masterson, who was walking on the pavement.

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Mr Masterson suffered a fractured pelvis, broken ribs, a fractured fibula, facial injuries, scarring and a suspected brain injury.

He spent six days in Royal Preston Hospital and is still undergoing treatment and tests, Preston Magistrates Court heard.

Dacre, of Heathfield Drive, Ribbleton, pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs and possession of cannabis.

Following the offence he apologised to Mr Masterson through the police.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Masterson said he still suffers pain from his injuries and has difficulty in articulating himself coherently.

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But in a letter read to the court, he said: “I see no profit in the defendant not being given the best possible chance to become the best possible human being he can become.

“He is truly sorry and truly troubled by the offence he committed. I welcome his apology and only hope he can forgive himself.

“I welcome the opportunity for him to fully redeem himself by becoming the best person he can be. I forgive him. Now he can forgive himself.”

Magistrates banned Dacre from driving for 23 months and handed him a 12 month community order with 20 days rehabilitation activity.

He must abide by a curfew between 7pm and 7am until December 30 and pay £285 legal costs.

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