A barrister has been fined £800 after his Mercedes collided with a motorcyclist, causing her to suffer a broken pelvis. The incident occurred when Paul Humphries, 63, pulled out of the Thurnham Hall hotel and spa into the path of motorcyclist Zoe Heath.
Ms. Heath was thrown from her motorcycle and sustained a fractured pelvis, with her pubic rami bone breaking in four places. She required a frame for six weeks and had to sleep sitting up due to the injuries. The court heard that since the accident, Ms. Heath has been unable to work, lost her home, and is now on statutory sick pay. She also expressed fear of driving and has been unable to participate in community events.
At Warrington Magistrates' Court, Humphries pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving. He was also banned from driving for one year and ordered to pay £720 in costs. Humphries, who lives in Sale, Greater Manchester, argued for an exemption from the driving ban, citing his unwell wife and claiming he earned as little as £400 per week, predominantly from taxpayer-funded legal aid.
District Judge Jack McGarva remarked on Humphries' earnings, stating, "That proves the lie of fat cat lawyers. Life is tough." The judge acknowledged that the junction where the accident occurred is difficult but stressed that this necessitates greater caution. He noted Humphries' exemplary character and stated that a fine would adequately punish the offense. The judge also pointed out that compensation would be addressed through an insurance claim, as he was not qualified to award it.
Humphries, an Oxford-educated barrister with 40 years of experience, was driving his Mercedes E450 out of the hotel, where rooms can cost £200 per night, when he collided with Ms. Heath, who was riding her Honda Rebel at approximately 25 mph. He had been staying at the hotel with his wife and was en route to buy lamb from a nearby farm. Humphries told police he was apologetic but blamed two blind bends near the hotel entrance for his failure to see Ms. Heath.
Prosecutors argued that the difficult junction required increased caution, not less. Dashcam footage from Ms. Heath's motorcycle captured her crying out in pain after the collision. Humphries had no prior driving offenses apart from a speeding ticket in 1980. His defense stated that the junction had poor visibility and that Humphries was incredibly apologetic, emphasizing that Ms. Heath would be adequately compensated through a civil claim.