A BEAUTICIAN who fled a hit-and-run after ploughing her Mercedes into another car has been spared jail after blaming anxiety linked to a previous crash.
Mia Pritchard, 24, rammed her six-speed A-Class into the back of a Polo at traffic lights in Chester city centre following a night out with friends.
Mia Pritchard has been spared jail after blaming a severe bout of anxiety for a crashCredit: Cavendish
The beautician, 24, fled the scene of a hit and run car crash in her MercedesCredit: Cavendish
But instead of stopping, Pritchard reversed away and drove off as the shaken driver of the Polo struggled to regain her composure.
later found the wrecked Mercedes dumped and “undriveable” in the middle of the road on a council estate around three miles away the following morning.
The car had suffered heavy front-end damage, with its near-side suspension ripped away and an alloy wheel smashed. It was later written off.
A heard officers also noticed the Mercedes’ front registration plate had been removed, while half of the rear plate had snapped off – in what was said to be an apparent attempt to conceal the car’s identity.
Pritchard was traced after the Polo driver – who was not believed to have been injured – managed to memorise the Mercedes’ number plate.
When questioned, Pritchard denied drinking in the run-up to the crash and rejected claims she had deliberately removed the plates to avoid being caught.
At Chester Magistrates’ Court, Pritchard, of Ellesmere Port, faced up to six months in jail under sentencing guidelines after admitting failing to stop and report an accident.
However, she was spared custody and handed 200 hours of unpaid work after claiming the impact had triggered memories of a serious road collision in 2017 that left her hospitalised with a bleed on the brain.
In addition to unpaid work, Pritchard was ordered to complete 10 rehabilitation activity days, including a course.
She was banned from driving for 18 months and told to pay £85 in costs and a £114 surcharge.
Pritchard said she “panicked” after hitting the Polo and made the “silly decision” to drive off on November 8 last year.
But the shocking incident happened just two months after Pritchard had appeared in court and been fined £480 for assaulting a police officer during a bust-up in Chester.
Prosecutor Miss Lynne Sayers said the Polo driver had been stationary at traffic lights on Watergate Street, heading towards Chester Racecourse, just before midnight when she was struck from behind.
She added that attempts had been made to hide the vehicle’s identity, with both front and rear removed.
The court heard it was clear the car had mounted a kerb, ripping the wheel and suspension from the body.
Miss Sayers said Pritchard told officers she fled the scene because she was anxious and had not reported the crash to police.
Pritchard reversed away and drove off after the crashCredit: Cavendish
Pritchard outside courtCredit: Cavendish
The glam beautician got away without any jail timeCredit: Cavendish
In mitigation Pritchard’s lawyer Selina Woodward said her client lived at her home with her mother and three siblings – and was primary carer for her 11 year old brother who has various learning difficulties.
Miss Woodward added: “She has been diagnosed with anxiety which probably stems from being involved in a serious collision when she was 17-years-old from which she spent some time in hospital suffering from a bleed on the brain.
“Because of the trauma from this accident she did not start driving until in her early 20s, a few years ago.
“That is the reason for why she left the scene at the time. Not only had she been terrified of what had happened she made the silly decision to drive off.
Miss Woodward said Pritchard was “extremely remorseful” and “accepts full responsibility” for what she had done.
The lawyer added: “She understands the damage caused and the upset caused to the victim in this case as well.”
Prior to this accident Pritchard worked as a customer services advisor in student accommodation in Chester.
However, she lost her job after her car was written off.
JP Andrew Antoniou told her: “This is really a very serious matter and you are fortunate that you are not going to receive a custodial sentence.
“There was an accident, the car was written off and you did not report it till the following day. Our job as magistrates is to keep the public safe from people who drive like this.”
Pritchard expressed remorse at what she had doneCredit: Cavendish
She was banned from driving for 18 monthsCredit: Cavendish
She was involved in a serious collision when she was 17 years oldCredit: Cavendish
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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