Court of Appeal varies sentence for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and reduces the disqualification period, where appellant had appealed the length of the disqualification period only, on the grounds that: (a) the protection of the public required a period of disqualification beyond the statutory minimum, taking into account the appellant's conduct in leaving the scene, failing to assist the victim and failing to report the accident; (b) one of the principal factors in determining the relevant period was an accused's history of driving, with particular reference to offences under the Road Traffic Act; and (c) there was no suggestion of prior offending in this case and the sentencing judge did not have a sufficient evidential basis for concluding that disqualification for ten years was necessary.
Offence: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm
Original sentence: three years with two years suspended for a period of five years; disqualification from driving for ten years
Appeal by: defence, on the length of the disqualification period only
Outcome: disqualification period reduced to six years