Patrick Stephenson: Terrey Hills man convicted of driving offences that left rider with multiple broken bones
A northern beaches builder whose abysmal driving resulted in a motorbike rider being so seriously injured he required surgery to insert a metal plate in his body has been convicted.
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A northern beaches builder whose abysmal driving resulted in a motorbike rider being so seriously injured he required surgery to insert a metal plate in his body has been convicted.
Patrick Stephenson, 57, from Terrey Hills pleaded guilty to the charge of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
Police facts tendered to court indicate on September 23 last year Stephenson collided with a motorbike rider in the next lane after failing to give way on Babbage Rd in Roseville.
The collision caused the 60-year-old rider to be seriously injured.
Injuries included a distal radius fracture which resulted in the victim requiring
surgery to insert a metal plate in his body.
The victim also suffered six bilateral rib fractures.
Mr Stephenson’s lawyer urged the Magistrate not to disqualify Stephenson from driving arguing he needed his licence as part of his job running a building company.
The court was told since COVID-19 business for the builder had been reduced by 75 per cent.
But the prosecution argued a conviction should be recorded because the injuries of the victim were “substantial” and the court needed to send a message regarding “public safety”.
Magistrate Price questioned why Stephenson’s wife - who supported him in court and does not have a job - could not drive him to places.
She convicted Stephenson of the offence and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.