Chorley man is jailed for hit-and-run crash in Herefordshire and lying to police

Scott Churchman, 35, of Eccleston, Chorley was driving along the A4137 in Herefordshire on the morning of May 28 last year when he performed an overtake manoeuvre that resulted in a collision significantly damaging his vehicle and an oncoming car. He fled the scene of the crash in which no one was injured.

Later that morning, he phoned Gwent Police claiming his car had been hit by a lorry in the area. In interview with Hereford officers he maintained he had travelled down the M6, M50 and A40 and was not on the A4137.

However, extensive forensic enquiries provided the evidence that he had been driving the car on the A4137.

Following an investigation by West Mercia Police’s Hereford Operational Policing Unit (OPU), Churchman pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and attempt to pervert the course of justice

at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, July 9.

He has been sentenced to 26 months in prison and has has also been given a 25 months disqualification from driving with a requirement to sit an extended test.

Police Constable Jamie Carr, of Hereford OPU, said: “The sentence imposed upon Churchman reflects the severity of his crime of dangerous driving and attempting to prevent the course of justice.

"This outcome is testament to a thorough criminal investigation by officers Hereford OPU.

“I hope that this sentence demonstrates that all reports of dangerous driving will be investigated thoroughly and falsifying whereabouts and details are criminal matters and punishable with a custodial prison sentence.”