Chichester Man Sentenced For Causing Serious Collision

Friday, 19 January 2024 17:44

A car passenger has been sentenced for causing a serious collision near Chichester.

Jake Sharpe was travelling as a rear seat passenger in the vehicle travelling on the A259 near Bosham.

The 28-year-old pulled the handbrake of the silver Vauxhall as it travelled on the 60mph limit road.

It caused the driver to lose control and swerve into the oncoming carriageway, where it collided head on with a silver Hyundai car.

Sharpe gave no reason for why he had carried out such a dangerous action on the road.

It left the front seat passenger in the silver Hyundai with life-threatening injuries.

The passenger of the Vauxhall also suffered serious and potentially life changing injuries, while the driver of the of Hyundai was also hurt in the crash.

At Portsmouth Crown Court on January 12, Sharpe, a member of the armed forces, of Otway Road, Chichester, appeared for sentence.

He admitted two counts of causing grievous bodily harm, two counts of causing criminal damage to a motor vehicle, and one count of common assault.

Sharpe was sentenced to 23 months in prison.

The court was told how the incident happened at about 2pm on November 25, 2022.

Both vehicles were travelling at speeds within the limit of 50mph and 60mph at the time.

Speaking after the case, investigating officer PC Tom Van Der Wee of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit said:

“Sharpe caused a devastating collision as a result of his inexplicable stupidity that day.

"He has shown no remorse or concern for those injured – a completely innocent elderly couple travelling in one vehicle and his two colleagues travelling in the vehicle he was in – one of which has had his career in the armed forces severely impacted due to the injury he sustained.

“This case demonstrates our determination to get justice for the victims in this difficult case.”