A man has admitted to driving into a pedestrian with a modified electric motorbike in Newport, an incident described as 'brutal' by the victim. Jordan Willetts, from Newport, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence, and failing to stop at the scene of the crash, which occurred last November.
The court heard that Willetts was driving the wrong way down a one-way street when he struck 33-year-old Bevan, from the St Julians area of Newport, as he crossed Fairoak Avenue. Bevan was knocked unconscious for approximately five minutes and was discovered face down in the road by neighbours. He sustained severe concussion and cuts to his face as a result of the collision.
Following the incident, Willetts drove off, only handing himself in to police two days later. The electric motorbike involved was revealed to have originally been a push bike that had been subsequently modified. Police investigators discovered these modifications when the vehicle was seized.
Bevan expressed his distress at being the victim of a hit-and-run, stating he was particularly upset by the 'disrespect' and lack of 'humane' concern shown by Willetts. He told reporters that neighbours who had assisted him after the crash later visited his home, informing him he had been hit by an e-bike, a fact confirmed by graphic CCTV footage.
When questioned outside court, Willetts stated, 'Of course I'm sorry, why would I have handed myself in if I wasn't sorry?' His father also commented that his son had made a 'mistake'. Bevan is still unable to drive as a consequence of his injuries.
Willetts has been disqualified from driving pending his sentencing, which will determine the full legal repercussions of his actions.