Three plead guilty to Brighton hit-and-run

A Brighton builder has pleaded guilty after a hit-and-run in Kemptown last year, which left a man seriously injured, police have said.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Oct 2017, 18:26 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:32 BST
Adam McDermott (Photograph: Eddie Mitchell)Adam McDermott (Photograph: Eddie Mitchell)
Adam McDermott (Photograph: Eddie Mitchell)

At 3.40pm on January 14 2016, emergency services were called to a serious collision in the Kemptown area of Brighton.

Police said a 53-year-old man had been hit by a Fiat 500 as he crossed Montague Place from St George’s Terrace. The victim, Andy Payne, was rushed to hospital has since made a recovery.

The incident was captured on CCTV footage shown below.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Three people have today (October 3) pleaded guilty to their part in the hit-and-run, police said.

A Sussex Police statement said: "Adam McDermott, 33, a builder of South Coast Road, Brighton has pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, conspiring with Clark Walker to pervert the course of justice, fail to stop at an injury road traffic collision, no insurance and no licence.

"Robyn Burns, 30, unemployed of South Coast Road, Brighton pleaded guilty to conspiring with Adam McDermott to pervert the cause of justice.

"Clark Walker, 32, unemployed of Ditchling Rise, Brighton had previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice with Adam McDermott.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"McDermott and Burns, a couple, were due to stand trial at Lewes Crown Court but pleaded guilty on Tuesday, October 3."

Sergeant Dan Pitcher said: “We have worked extremely hard as a team to bring these three to justice for the Payne family. How Andy is still alive and has no major long lasting physical damage is a miracle.

“McDermott’s actions that day were awful, he drove without regard for anyone’s life and when he did hit Mr Payne he didn’t even stop. He would have known how hard he hit him and he didn’t even break. For all he knew Mr Payne was dead. Thankfully this investigation has not been into Mr Payne’s death; this only comes down to luck.

“Burns and Walker conspired with McDermott to cover up his actions and claim the car had been stolen. Burns has already been charged and sentenced for insurance fraud for the car, having been given 80 hours community service. She now faces a much more severe punishment for perverting the course of justice. “

The three will be sentenced on November 17.

Related topics:BrightonPolice