Gwynedd teen who drove into man used car ‘as a weapon’

A teenager has been sentenced to 40 months in a young offender institution, after deliberately running down a man with his car.

Thomas Baker, 19, from Bethesda, Gwynedd, was involved in a fight between four people on the town’s high street at about 13:00 BST on 18 August.

Caernarfon Crown Court heard that following the altercation he used his Audi A3 “as a weapon” by mounting the pavement in order to hit David Thomas.

Baker had previously admitted grievous bodily harm with intent, dangerous driving and driving while banned and uninsured, along with the common assault of Michael Smith.

The court was shown CCTV footage in which Baker and another man were seen walking towards Mr Smith and Mr Thomas, who were sat outside a café.

Baker was then seen punching one of the men, which led to all four fighting in the road.

Mr Thomas later threw an ashtray at the windscreen of Baker’s car, smashing it.

This resulted in Baker driving his vehicle up the road, onto the pavement and into Mr Thomas, throwing him into the air.

He suffered several injuries, including a fractured ankle and cuts to the head.

The court heard Baker, who is autistic, had five previous convictions, including dangerous driving, common assault and driving while disqualified.

Judge Nicola Jones told Baker: “You deliberately mounted the pavement and hit Mr Thomas,” adding: “You used your car as a weapon.”