Man drove off with wife clinging to his van

A Lincoln man who drove off after leaving his wife clinging to his van has been banned from driving for six months.

Jonny Joseph Rooney, 21, admitted driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after the accident in Webster Close, Lincoln, on August 5 this year.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the incident was witnessed by a neighbour who looked out and saw the van as he was watching television in his living room.

Edna Leonard, prosecuting, said Mr Rooney’s wife was standing with one foot on the ground and the other foot in the van.

Miss Leonard told the court: “Quite obviously she was about to get in. However the vehicle accelerated away at speed.

“She was clinging on to the van and was heard to say ‘Jonny.’ ”

Rooney’s wife fell to the ground and the van sped off. She was thought to be injured but did not speak to the police, Miss Leonard added.

The court heard Rooney returned to the scene and told police “I’m Jonny Rooney, I was driving the van earlier with the incident with my wife.”

Rooney was interviewed by the police but made no comment.

The offence was committed while Rooney was serving an eight month suspended prison sentence for an offence of false representation, the court heard.

David Eager, mitigating, told the court Rooney had completed 140 hours of unpaid work for his previous matter and the driving offence was of a totally different nature.

Rooney, of Webster Close, Lincoln, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to stop on 5 August this year.

He was banned from driving for six months and sentenced to a further 150 hours of unpaid work in the community. He must also pay £150 costs.

Passing sentence Judge James Sampson told Rooney: “You fall to be sentenced for driving without due care and attention and a bad failing to stop. You can not drive from this point on.”