He put lives in 'grave danger' then ran away to escape the consequences

A dangerous driver who crashed into another car before running away from the scene could have killed someone, a judge said. "Immature" Kian Owen was said to have put lives in "grave danger" when he got behind the wheel.

After the late-night crash on the A496 by the sea wall in Barmouth on September 13, the 22-year-old ran away from the scene. He admitted dangerous driving and two other motoring offences and was today jailed for 16 months.

A judge at Caernarfon Crown Court told Owen, of Wenaullt Uchaf, Dolgellau: "Quite frankly you could have caused very serious injury or death to other road users, yourself or your passenger." You can sign up for all the latest court stories here

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Prosecutor William Griffin said that evening a motorist called Rhys Jones, and his passenger, were travelling in a car he had bought that day along the A496 towards Barmouth. It was a winding road and he was approaching a 30mph zone.

He became aware of being struck from behind by a SEAT Ibiza car. The SEAT - driven by the defendant - then pulled out to overtake Mr Jones' car. The SEAT scraped along Mr Jones' car then pulled in front of it, damaging it with the rear bumper.

Meanwhile motorist Rachael Carter was coming towards Owen's car. The defendant crashed his vehicle into her car, which then collided with the sea wall, leaving Ms Carter trapped in her vehicle. The defendant continued along the road in his car before stopping and running away with his passenger, before police were called.

Mr Griffin said the defendant, who had only recently bought his car, told officers he had been on his way to Birmingham where his mother and sisters live. His DNA was found in the vehicle and he had no insurance.

Richard Edwards, defending, said Owen knows he shouldn't have been driving and apologises to everyone involved. He had been concerned about his mother and her new relationship.

He was going to sell his car to get money so she could visit his sisters. Mr Edwards said Owen ran off because he panicked.

He works as a roofer for his dad who relies on his son's "youth and strength". But the judge Her Honour Nicola Saffman told Owen he could have killed or injured someone.

"People's lives were put in grave danger," she said. He is immature and disregarded the risks to others.

Jailing him she also disqualified him from driving for a total of 20 months and he must pass an extended retest. There were no separate penalties for failing to stop after a road accident and driving with no insurance.

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