A DANGEROUS driver who didn’t turn up to court because he overslept blamed using his satnav for seriously injuring three people in a crash.

Collin Harding was driving his Seat Ateca in Church Road, Rivenhall, last December when he was seen driving erratically, narrowly avoiding a collision with an oncoming Mini.

Another road user called the police to warn them about Harding’s driving, but minutes later the defendant, who was serving a driving ban, crashed into another vehicle and seriously injured Andrew and Jemma Hyde.

Absent – Collin Harding did not turn up to his sentencing at Chelmsford Crown CourtAbsent – Collin Harding did not turn up to his sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Chelmsford Crown Court heard in a victim impact statement that Jemma Hyde, a beauty therapy lecturer at Colchester Institute, suffered severe injuries to her wrists which have been detrimental to her career.

Summarising the impact of Harding’s offending, His Honour Judge Alexander Mills said the injuries will have “an ongoing impact” on the victims.

He said: “She was due to start working on teaching level three beauty therapy as of next month.

“Discussing this with her manager she can no longer possibly to this at any point in her career.

“Metal plates and damage to her wrists have meant she is unable to use the machines which are used to teach students.”

Harding’s failure to attend court was blamed on the defendant apparently not realising he was due to attend court.

Omar Sabbagh, mitigating, said: “He has woken up late and wasn’t expecting to be in court today.”

The judge replied: “Your client seems to be making a habit of this.

“I am conscious there are victims in this case who no doubt want to have closure what the outcome is.

“I have no faith at all that if I adjourn it’s going to result in anything in the immediate future.”

He proceeded to issue an arrest warrant for Harding, who had blamed the collision on his satnav.

He said: “It appears the incident has occurred when this defendant took his eyes off the road and was involved in playing with a satnav."

Victims – two people were seriously injured as a result of Collin Harding's dangerous driving, Chelmsford Crown Court heard Victims – two people were seriously injured as a result of Collin Harding's dangerous driving, Chelmsford Crown Court heard (Image: Essex Police)

Harding, 40, of Woodlands Hay Lane in Braintree admitted two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, and driving without insurance.

He was jailed for two years and ten months and banned from driving for three years and five months.