by Lynn Cox

A motorist has been banned from driving for a year for causing a crash which left a teenager fighting for her life.

Ian Bugden, of Upper Luton Road, Chatham, was found guilty of driving without due care and attention when he drove through a red light at the top of Four Elms Hill, in Chattenden and struck two schoolgirls who were crossing the road.

Bugden’s trial took place on Tuesday at Medway Magistrates’ Court after he previously denied the charge.

He maintained that the traffic lights had been green when Charlotte Olde and Kerri Deakin crossed the road.

But after hearing evidence from Kerri and another witness, magistrates decided to ban him for 12 months and fine him £450.

Bugden was driving towards Grain when he struck Charlotte and Kerri. who were 14 at the time and had been walking home from school.

Kerri suffered minor injuries and was badly bruised but Charlotte was left in a critical condition after the crash on December 5 last year.

She was taken to King’s College Hospital, London, for an emergency operation to remove a blood clot on her brain. Doctors told her family at the time she could been left paralysed or unable to speak properly.

Charlotte, who lives on the Isle of Grain, made an amazing recovery, but is still suffering from neurological problems.

The Hundred of Hoo School pupil, cannot remember the incident but did attend court for the hearing.

Speaking after the case, Kerri, who lives in Chattenden, said: “Going to court to give evidence and relive the nightmare again was awful.

“I found it quite distressing that I had to face him in court.

“He nearly killed my friend, Charlotte and I was bruised all down my left side .I was just very lucky to have not been seriously injured, to the extent Charlotte was.”

Charlotte’s mum Jackie said: “We are pleased he was banned from driving, it was a good result and means we can move on from this.

“Of course, we would have liked to have seen a higher sentence, but we feel justice has been done.

He (Bugden) never showed any remorse towards Charlotte, in fact he saw her on three occasions during the criminal proceeding and never once said sorry.
“On behalf of Charlotte we would like to say a big thank you to George Hurley who helped her when the crash happened.

“He also came to court to give evidence. We’d love it if we could meet up with him to thank him properly.”

Bugden was also ordered to pay £455 court costs.