Derby County’s Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett have been sentenced after they were involved in a car crash back in September.
Their punishment is that they have to serve a 12-month community orders, 180 hours of unpaid work and are disqualified from driving for two years.
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It came after they pleaded guilty to drink-driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident on the 24th of September.
Both were previously fined six weeks’ wages by Derby and given 80-hour community service orders.
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The court heard that Lawrence hit Bennett’s car before colliding with a road sign before leaving team-mate Richard Keogh at the scene where paramedics then arrived.
Bennett admitted he had a drink of alcohol but was ‘perfectly normally’ when the crash happened. He panicked, and then returned following a call by Lawrence.
It was revealed that Lawrence was “quite dependent” on alcohol since the death of his mum, which he was very close with. Shaun Draycott, defending Lawrence, said he made a “gross error of judgement” which is a “matter of extreme regret”.
Court cases concerning car accidents can often become complex, particularly if anyone involved in the accident sustains an injury. For instance, personal injury lawsuits are often a common consequence of these types of incidences.
Above all, if you have been injured in an accident on the road there is a chance that you could be entitled to claim compensation. If you would like to learn more, you might want to consider reaching out to a lawyer that specializes in personal injury cases in your area.
Keogh ended up getting ruled out for up to 15 months for picking up “serious knee injury” in the crash.
Bennett and Lawrence took breathalyser tests, Bennett’s alcohol level was at 64 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath and Lawrence had 58mcg per 100ml with legal limit in England at 35mcg per 100ml.
Bennett was sick at the pub after being “pressured” to drink a Jagerbomb shot by his fellow team-mates.
Mason Bennett thought he’d be fine to drive after this????? #dcfc pic.twitter.com/YTij54Sx7c
– Kyle Guest (@Kyleguest) September 26, 2019
District Judge Jonathan Taaffee warned the players that a prison sentence was an option because they had passengers in the car and they fled the scene.
They both walked away from court after probation services told the hearing about concerns they would struggle in custody.
Taafee said: “You are extremely fortunate to be here today.
“You had been drinking and have been involved in a road traffic collision that could have led to death.
“You are both intelligent and talented young men who have brought shame upon yourselves, your family, your profession and your club.”
Fans took to give their thoughts on the sentencing and whether they thought it was the right decision – see what they said on the next page.
Carol-Ann
15th October 2019 at 2:26 pm
I dont condone these actions at all but do feel that the judges sentencing was fair especially as no one actally died thank the lord
Wonder how many people on here have never made a mistake in their lives.i know personally of at least 3 police offers admit drink driving BUT KEPT THEIR JOBS People high up in the NHS Similarily who still kept their jobs both professional people who should have known bettèr Stupidity itself what they did,could have killed someone. But at the end of the day they didn’t,hope they regret what they did for the rest of their lives. Everyone deserves a second chance.n Tom’s case the grief caused by losing someone so close like your mum is different for everyone my mum died almost 20 years ago my last living adult relative and I still think of her every day and yes I started drinking to numb the pain if you’ve never been in a situation like that you cant explain it as I say i don’t condone what they did
When people like Paul merson Hugo loris recently’s and far to many to mention got help not disowned by their club lawrence and bennet both acted ridiculous boy wint be the last get off their backs and let then make their statement on the pitch