A MAN who fled the scene of an accident which left his passenger seriously injured has appeared in court. Dean Chadderton, 24, of Mildmay Road in Stevenage, appeared at the town magistrates court last Thursday. He pleaded guilty to aggravated taking of

A MAN who fled the scene of an accident which left his passenger seriously injured has appeared in court.

Dean Chadderton, 24, of Mildmay Road in Stevenage, appeared at the town magistrates' court last Thursday.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated taking of a vehicle, failing to stop, not having a licence and having no insurance.

Robert Allen, prosecuting, said that on April 1 Chadderton took the keys of a van he was meant to be loading with rubbish and was seen to drive away in the vehicle. He drove to a pub where he drank a pint of beer.

After leaving the pub, Chadderton and two passengers drove along Six Hills Way, Stevenage, where he collided with a kerb. The van then moved towards the centre of the road making another motorist swerve.

The van swerved and hit a lamppost. One of Chadderton's passengers was sitting in the front seat with his arm resting outside of the window when the vehicle fell on its side.

The court heard this passenger received serious injuries to his arm which shattered and part of his arm was just hanging on by skin.

Chadderton climbed from the van and ran from the scene.

Magistrates sent the matter to Luton Crown Court for sentencing at a date yet to be fixed. He was given unconditional bail.