Leigh Park teenager in 'childish' spat crashed into innocent victim sending him flying

Hayden Edmonds was breaking the speed limit when he ploughed into Louie Ainsley in Park House Farm Way on February 16 last year.

Mr Ainsley went flying above the height of the car, ‘luckily’ suffering just a laceration to the back of his arm and an abrasion on his head.

Edmonds, 19 at the time, fled but went to police and claimed the victim and another man he was with ‘ran out into the road’.

The judge who spared him jail, Recorder Noel Casey, said Edmonds was involved in the ‘ridiculous and childish’ arguments and ‘fallings out’ between groups in the area.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard the 20-year-old mounted the kerb outside a shop hitting Mr Ainsley.

Sentencing, the judge said CCTV caught the victim being ‘thrown into the air’.

In a statement, the victim said: ‘This incident has affected me emotionally as well as physically.

‘They tell me I was lucky not to be more seriously injured but I did get hit by a car which doesn’t feel lucky to me.’

In the days after the crash he suffered headaches, was dizzy and had neck pain.

‘I have struggled to sleep and constantly replay the incident in my mind,’ he said.

He added: ‘I’m constantly looking over my shoulder and am paranoid to walk in certain areas. I feel constantly on edge about my safety.’

Edmonds, 20, was handed a 12-month term suspended for two years.

He must complete 150 hours’ unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity days, pay £400 compensation and £300 costs.

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Edmonds was cleared of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to a man standing next to Mr Ainsley with whom he had a disagreement.

Gemma White, for Edmonds, said he helped care for his sister and another relative, and was highly regarded.

Edmonds has no previous convictions. He admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, perverting the course of justice and dangerous driving.

He was banned from driving for 18 months.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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