Shropshire Star

Drink-driver leaves rugby player in a wheelchair after hit and run

An accomplished sportsman who hoped to become a professional rugby player has been left in a wheelchair following a hit and run.

Published
Last updated

Victim Ciron Davies, 21, felt he should have been dead after being catapulted into the air by a car being driven by a drink driver which mounted a kerb.

Defendant Shaun Hayden-Poole, 35, of Y Gamer in Glyn Ceiriog, near Oswestry, was jailed for three years and banned from driving for five and a half years after he admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

After hitting Mr Davies and an electricity pole and sign, his vehicle burst into flames.

But he simply ran off – leaving his victim for dead, lying badly injured in the road.

Hayden-Poole, believed to be under the influence of cocaine, also admitted failing to provide blood and breath tests, failing to stop and no insurance.

To make matters worse he had previous motoring convictions including three instances of drink driving, driving while disqualified, careless driving and failing to stop. He was on licence at the time after being released from prison.

Judge Niclas Parry told him: “Once again you proved that you have an utterly selfish disregard for the safety of other road users and an utter disregard for motoring laws.”

Following repeated offending over a 15-year period, on June 23 it escalated “into an extremely serious incident”.

Judge Parry said after consuming pints in double figures, he drove late at night at such speed that he was wholly unable to control his vehicle, the judge told him.

He failed to negotiate a slight bend, left the road and mounted a pavement and struck a pedestrian with such force that he was catapulted into the air a considerable distance.

“Your vehicle didn’t stop. The momentum was such that it carried on and struck an electricity pole with such force that it was broken clear from its foundations.

“Still it carried on, and hit a sign before ended up facing the direction from which you had been travelling.”

The judge said his actions after that were appalling.

“You shouted at passers-by who tried to help you and fled the scene knowing you were leaving someone in the road, not caring if he was dead or alive.”

The victim’s injuries were such that he was transferred from Wrexham Maelor Hospital to the major trauma unit at Stoke Hospital.

He was left with serious injuries and he remains “to this day in a wheel chair.”

The victim was an accomplished sportsman whose career may now have been affected long term.

“It is no exaggeration to say that you could have killed him. Had you, the sentence would have been eight years on a guilty plea,” the judge warned him.

Prosecuting barrister William Hingston said that Hayden-Poole had admitted the offences at Wrexham Magistrates Court last month.

The hit and run happened shortly after 11pm on June 22. Hayden-Poole had drunk 10 pints of lager, a couple of ciders and two shots at the Glyn Valley Hotel in Llangollen.

He was believed to be under the influence of cocaine and was very drunk when he drove off in a Peugeot 307.

At 11.07pm police received a report of a car fire at New Road in Glyn Ceiriog and found that the driver had fled.

Keiron Davies was found lying prone in the road with a blanket over him after local people placed him in the recovery position. He was bleeding from his head.

Hayden-Poole had lost control on a right hand bend, mounted the kerb and hit Mr Davies who was making his way home on foot. He was catapulted into the air and landed in the road.

Police found Hayden-Poole at his home a short distance away, he refused officers entry so they forced their way in and arrested him. He was unsteady on his feet and he had glazed eyes.

It was believed he was under the influence of drugs but in custody he refused to provide blood and breath samples.

Mr Davies had been left with a broken leg below the knee, his right shoulder blade was shattered, he had a dislocated collar bone, lacerations to the head which needed stitches, cuts to the left hand, bleeding to the kidney and bruising to both his lungs and liver.

He was a keen rugby player, had played for Llangollen for two years and should have played for Ruthin next season, who were a division higher.

Mr Davies said that he had hoped to turn professional but the incident had left that very much in doubt.

Defending barrister Oliver King said that his client knew there was no alternative to custody.

“His actions were utterly reckless which had devastating consequences for his victim,” said Mr King.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.