Teenage driver crashed into side of Norwich pub, court told

A teenage driver ploughed into the side of a Norwich pub and then ran off, a court heard.

Kane Barker, 19, from Robson Road, Earlham, pleaded guilty to careless driving, failing to stop after an accident, and driving without a licence and insurance, when he appeared before Norwich magistrates today.

Prosecutor Lisa Britton said Barker was driving a Vauxhall Astra in Gurney Road when it collided with a brick wall outside the Castle pub, off Ketts Hill.

A witness spotted the crash, which took place at about 5.45am on June 18.

She said: 'The witness went to speak to the defendant and a passenger in the car. The defendant walked away from the scene. When the police arrived, the passenger said he did not know who the driver was, but he was later traced.

'Barker admitted in interview that he had not been displaying his L plates and had not waited at the scene because he was scared.

'The owner of the pub made a statement and said that there was damage to the flint wall, but he could not estimate the cost of the damage.'

Dave Foulkes, for Barker, said the owner of the Astra offered Barker a lift, and then later asked him to drive because he had arthritis in his knee.

He said: 'Clearly Barker knew he was uninsured and the road was slippery, and partly due to his lack of experience, he crashed the car into the wall. But he had not intended to drive. He panicked and left the scene but made a full admission in interview.'

Barker was fined �200 plus a �15 victim surcharge and seven points were put on his licence. He was also ordered to pay �85 costs.