A banned driver who previously admitted a dangerous driving charge, has now also admitted exposing a child passenger to potential harm in the incident.
Adam Richard John Dobson will now be sentenced at Durham Crown Court next week for a package of offences arising from the motoring incident, on roads between North Drive and Moorside, in Spennymoor and Ramsey Crescent, Bishop Auckland, on May 10 this year.
When the defendant appeared at a plea hearing at the court on June 7, he admitted charges of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance.
But he denied a child neglect charge, of exposing a passenger aged under 16, at risk of suffering or injury during the incident.
(Image: The Northern Echo)
The case was set down for trial in September and the 24-year-old defendant, of West Lane, Bishop Auckland, was remanded in custody.
But the case came back before the court yesterday (Wednesday, July 17) when the child neglect charge was put again to Dobson, who was appearing by prison to court video link.
(Image: The Northern Echo)
He changed his original plea to guilty, meaning he can now be sentenced for all four offences, negating the need for the trial, in September.
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Judge Jo Kidd said she was aware the defendant has been recalled to prison as a result of his arrest for his latest offence, to serve a previously unserved part of a previous sentence.
She said he could appear again by video link from prison to learn his fate for the latest offences, at the court.
Both prosecuting counsel, Annelise Haugstad, and Jordan Parkinson, for the defendant, agreed that a suitable date for the sentencing hearing would be next Wednesday, July 24.
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