A driver has been sentenced following a collision in Poole that left a man seriously injured and caused the death of his dog.
Charles Richard Collins, 22 and of Uppleby Road in Poole, was sentenced to 14 months in prison on Friday 10 June 2022 at Bournemouth Crown Court. He was also disqualified from driving for a period of four years and seven months.
He previously pleaded guilty at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday 6 May 2022 to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving a vehicle while unfit through drugs, driving a motor vehicle when his alcohol level was above the legal limit and criminal damage. The criminal damage offence relates to the death of the dog.
Dorset Police received a report at 9.06am on Sunday 19 September 2021 of a collision involving a Talbot Motorhome and a pedestrian who was walking their dog on Compton Avenue.
The pedestrian – a man aged in his 60s from Poole – was walking when he was struck from behind by the vehicle, which had mounted the pavement.
Officers attended with the ambulance service and the pedestrian was taken to hospital for treatment. He sustained significant life-changing injuries including a bleed on the brain, serious head injuries, neck fractures and fractured toes.
Very sadly, the dog – an eight-year-old West Highland Terrier named Ben – died at the scene.
The defendant provided an initial positive breath test with an alcohol reading of 98 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 milligrammes.
A second man, aged 21, who was arrested in connection with the incident was subsequently released without charge and will face no further police action.
Police Constable Andy Fields, of the Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: “The reckless actions by Collins to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence resulted in a nasty collision, which left a man seriously injured and took the life of his pet dog.
“The pedestrian remained in hospital for eight days after the collision and underwent a number of operations and treatment. He was unable to drive for three months, which had a significant impact on his life.
“We are committed to doing all we can to ensure those responsible for serious collisions are brought before the courts to face the repercussions.”
