A devastating Warsop collision has changed a young man’s life forever after he was struck by a careless driver while riding his moped. The crash, which occurred on 1 September last year at 5.10pm, happened on Sherwood Street in Warsop, Nottinghamshire.
The court heard that Dameon Hilton, 44, failed to spot the moped while turning right onto Cottage Lane. He had waited for a 4×4 to pass but misjudged the space to pull out, hitting the rider in a horrifying impact.
“He made an error of judgment,” said Mark Stocks, defending, during sentencing at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court. “There was never any intention to cause such a serious and dramatic injury.”
Witnesses told the court of tyres screeching as Hilton accelerated, attempting to cross a narrow gap. One noted they would have had to brake hard for him even if the moped hadn’t been there.
Initially, Hilton tried to pin the blame on the rider during a police interview. But the extent of the victim’s injuries left little room for dispute.
The victim’s mother shared a raw and emotional account of her son’s suffering, recalling the moment she arrived at the scene.
“He was in excruciating pain,” she said. The trauma didn’t end there. He underwent three surgeries. Eventually, his right leg had to be amputated below the knee. He now wears a prosthetic limb.
His life, once filled with swimming, running, and racing, has taken a drastic turn. Mentally, the crash left a deep scar. Physically, his world has changed permanently.
Modifications were made to the family home to help him cope with a wheelchair in the early stages of recovery.
Catherine Wilson, prosecuting, detailed how the young man’s physical and emotional pain continues long after the crash. His independence has been severely impacted.
Meanwhile, Hilton, of Brook Street, Ossett, West Yorkshire, stood in court with his own visible limp. Years ago, he too had been knocked off a motorbike. The irony was not lost. Stocks said Hilton now suffers from post-traumatic stress related to the crash.
“Nothing he can say or do can repair the damage,” Mr Stocks added.
Hilton pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving. The sentence: 52 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months. He must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work, is banned from driving for 18 months, and must retake an extended driving test.
He’ll also have to pay £239 in court costs—deducted directly from his benefits.
Despite the injuries, Hilton walked free from court.
This tragic Warsop collision has reignited conversations around careless driving penalties and the lifelong impact they leave behind. The young rider continues his journey of recovery—but the road back is long.
