A TAUNTON man has been sentenced for driving without due care and attention, causing an accident, failing to stop, and lying about his car being stolen.
Lewis Bamber, 36, of Quantock Road, Taunton, appeared in Taunton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 3, 2026.
The court heard Bamber pleaded guilty to three charges, which include driving a black Nissan along a road/in a public place without due care and attention, failing to stop after a road accident, and causing wasteful employment of the police.
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The prosecution said on the night of February 1 of this year in Taunton, Bamber drove along East Street without due care and attention, causing a collision.
Bamber came around a corner ‘at speed’ in the ‘heavily pedestrianised area’ after the victim pulled up at the lights and crashed into the victim’s car.
The court heard Bamber tried to reverse, crashed into the victim’s vehicle again while his nephew was in the car, exited the vehicle, and fled from the scene of the incident.
The court heard the crash caused ‘significant damage’ to the other vehicle, which had to be written off.
Avon and Somerset Police officers waited at the scene until the Nissan was recovered, and during this time, no one returned to claim ownership.
The court heard the vehicle was registered as Bamber’s, and after the crash, the defendant reported his vehicle as having been stolen.
The defendant ended up attending Bridgwater Police Station the next day and admitted that the story of the vehicle being stolen was false.
The prosecution said he claimed he ‘panicked’ and knew the vehicle had not been stolen.
The court heard that in the interview with the police, he admitted to leaving the scene, accepted responsibility, but attributed the collision to a vehicle defect.
Anjam Arif, on defence, said that Bamber pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
He said: "He panicked, he left the scene and then foolishly reported his vehicle as stolen.
"However, the very next morning, he did the right thing.
"He went to the police station himself, he told the police that it was him driving, he told the police that it was him who caused the accident, he told the police that he had given them a false account the night before and that his car had not been stolen."
The court heard Bamber volunteered to attend a police interview and attended and presented remorse for the offences.
Mr Arif said: "He is able to recognise the fault in his actions and acknowledges the harm he could have caused."
Mr Arif also attributed the situation to Bamber’s "poor problem-solving skills and impulsive decision-making".
The magistrates, in their sentencing, said these were "serious offences further aggravated by the fact you caused the collision", that caused the car to be struck off, that "you had your young nephew in the car" and that Bamber "completely fabricated" the narrative of the stolen car.
Bamber has been given a community order lasting 12 months, involving him completing 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Bamber has received 10 penalty points on his licence.
Bamber has also been ordered to pay a fine of £200, a surcharge of £80, totalling £280.
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