Drink-driver jailed after leaving mum "for dead" after hitting victim who pushed baby's pram to safety

Dale Clark, 38, was handed a prison sentence of three years and eight months at Bournemouth Crown Court having previously pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving after he left 36-year-old Rebecca Sharp “for dead” and “lying unconscious in the road”.

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He was also banned from driving for six years, with an extension period of one year and 10 months. At a separate hearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court he also pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

A CPS spokesman said: “Dale Clark was speeding in his Toyota Rav-4 when he struck Rebecca Sharp as she was pushing her daughter in a pram across Redhill Avenue in Bournemouth shortly after 9am on April 11 2023.

“Mrs Sharp, 36, was able to push her daughter to safety moments before being hit and suffered near fatal head injuries, from which she is still recovering.

“The motorist initially denied he was over the drink-drive limit, but working with police, CPS prosecutors were able to prove Clark’s driving was impaired by alcohol he consumed the previous night – thanks to CCTV and witness evidence.

“Instead of stopping at the scene, Clark fled and left Mrs Sharp lying unconscious in the middle of the road.

“One witness memorised Clark’s number plate before rushing to Mrs Sharp’s aid with another driver.”

Clark, of New Milton, was arrested several hours later and was breathalysed giving a reading of 46 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath – above the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

The spokesman said: “He claimed he had been drinking at a pub in New Milton following the crash.

“However, CCTV inquiries at the pub in question proved Clark had not visited. In addition, a cleaner who worked at an inn Clark had stayed in the previous evening reported finding two empty litre bottles of vodka in his room.”

Andrew Coley, senior crown prosecutor for CPS Wessex, said: “This incident has shattered the lives of Mrs Sharp and her family.

“It is especially shocking that when Clark saw Mrs Sharp on the ground with her young child nearby, he chose not to stop and instead left her for dead.

“The CPS worked closely with Dorset Police to build a solid case against Clark – using CCTV evidence to disprove his false claims that he was not above the legal drink-drive limit at the time of the collision.

“Our thoughts are with Mrs Sharp and her family, and we wish her all the best in her recovery.”