Chard woman banned from driving after crashing employer’s van

Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News

A woman from Chard has received a 16-month driving ban after taking her employer’s van without consent, crashing it into a parked car, and then leaving the scene.

Claire Louise Hottinger, 38, of Pear Tree Drive, appeared before Somerset Magistrates, where she admitted using a Ford Transit van on Forton Road in Chard without insurance on 21st October last year. She also pleaded guilty to taking the vehicle without the owner's consent and causing damage to another vehicle.

The court heard that Hottinger had been left in charge of her employers’ animals while they were away on holiday but had not been granted permission to drive their van.

Prosecutor Andrew Meadows told the court: “She then collided with the rear of a Vauxhall Astra parked on the side of the road, pushing it off the pavement and onto the road.

“There was considerable damage to both vehicles and the defendant got out, put an empty bottle of cider on the pavement, and then took a dog out of the van.

“She then told a witness she was fine and knew who the owner of the other vehicle was, then other people came outside and Hottinger left the scene.”

Mr Meadows added: “Had she remained at the scene then the police would have required her to take a breath test, however this did not happen as she had left the scene.”

The court also heard that Hottinger’s use of the vehicle had not been authorised, and as such she was uninsured at the time of the crash.

Defending, solicitor Greg Peters said: “She continues to be employed by the same people, but a driving ban will make her job even more onerous.”

He told the court: “She was aware the van was a pool car but wrongly assumed she would have been covered to drive, and that was the only reason she drove it.”

Mr Peters also stated: “When the collision occurred the van was full of food and drink wrappers and one of the empty bottles rolled out when she opened the door and she said she was not under the influence of alcohol.”

He added that Hottinger had been sober for four years and was receiving support from Turning Point.

Magistrates imposed a 16-month driving ban and a 12-month community order, requiring Hottinger to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

The magistrates noted the breach of trust involved and the seriousness of the damage caused to both vehicles.