Driver banned after running over hospital security guard

A disabled man who drove his car at a Coventry University Hospital security guard following a parking dispute has been found guilty of driving without due care and attention.



It took a jury less than two hours to reach a unanimous verdict – although they did find Robert Barker, 57, not guilty of a more serious charge of dangerous driving.

Barker, of Dyson Street, Tile Hill, has been banned from driving for two months and was ordered to pay £100 costs and £200 in compensation to University Hospital security guard Paul White.

The sentence means he will also lose his Motability car as under the rules of the scheme anyone disqualified for more than 30 days is banned from driving one of its cars for five years.

After the verdict at Coventry Crown Court yesterday, Judge Philip Gregory, said: “What you did was stupid and could have resulted in a serious injury to a man who was simply doing his best in a very difficult situation.

“That situation was made a great deal worse by your actions.

"You have been convicted of driving without due care and attention and the sentence I am imposing on you will result in you being disqualified from driving for two months.”

Prosecutor Siobhan Collins offered no evidence to another charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm so Barker was found not guilty.

Barker, who uses two walking sticks, spoke briefly after the hearing to say he felt the sentence was overly harsh.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of dangerous driving following the incident at a University Hospital car park on November 2 last year.