Van driver who failed to stop after crashing into car in Ebbw Vale had taken cocaine, court hears

Ryan Readon, 32, drove off "erratically" after colliding with the Corsa's passenger side near Ebbw Vale, Newport Crown Court heard.

The driver was left with pain in the wrist, neck and back as a result of the collision on May 11, said James Lewis, prosecuting.

Months earlier, Reardon had received a community order for stopping a driver in the middle of the M4 after having taken "loads of drugs", Mr Lewis said.

On Friday, the court heard how Reardon sped off following the May 11 accident but a female motorist made a note of his registration number.

Police later located his abandoned Ford transit van on the A467 near Brynmawr, Mr Lewis said.

Officers saw him running away from the scene and Reardon repeatedly refused to stop when they drew near him, Mr Lewis added.

He was restrained on the ground and refused to take a breath test, the court heard.

Reardon then told police: "I have not been drinking, I took cocaine an hour ago."

Reardon had also been stopped with cocaine in his van the day before the accident and been granted bail, Mr Lewis said.

The court also heard how Reardon had previously almost caused a driver to collided with the central reservation on the M4, between junction 47 and 48, the court heard.

Following that incident on July 11, 2014, he told police: "I need help. I've taken loads of drugs."

Reardon, of Waun Goch Road, Oakdale, pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to take a roadside breath test and driving without due care and attention on May 11.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for personal use on the A449 at Newport on May 10.

Reardon was due to be sentenced at Newport Crown Court for the four offences on Friday.

But Newport Judge David Miller took the view the case should not have been sent to the crown court and referred it back to Gwent magistrates.

Reardon was bailed on Friday pending a sentencing hearing at a date yet to be fixed.