Convicted Hit-and-Run Driver caught Speeding while Banned

A hit-and-run driver who was spared a jail sentence because of the effect it might have on his children has now been caught speeding while banned.

This incident comes two years after he crashed into Debbie Ratcliffe’s Mini after reaching speeds of 90mph.

On September 27, 2020, Gurdeep Notay, aged 33, of Rugby, Warwickshire, was spotted driving a VW Touran recklessly along Newton Manor Lane and Crowthorns in Rugby.

At Warwick Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Judge Anthony Potter adjourned the case for information to be obtained about the “highly relevant” earlier incident. Notay was remanded in custody.

Notay was previously convicted in 2018 for a hit-and-run collision.

Graeme Simpson, prosecuting, had said that on September 2, 2018, a police car was on the outskirts of Shilton village, as an officer watched a Ford Focus.

The Focus was then overtaken on a bend by Notay’s £50,000 Audi Q7 at 90mph.

He swerved from left to right before clipping the police car. Notay continued speeding through the village before crashing into Mrs Ratcliffe’s Mini which was waiting at a junction.

The victim was left trapped inside her wrecked vehicle. Notay had fled on foot but was arrested nearby.

Notay tried to blame Mrs Ratcliffe for the crash. He also claimed that he had tried to avoid the police car by swerving and had then panicked after hitting it.

Mrs Ratcliffe suffered a broken ankle and was told she may experience pain for the rest of her life. She is also at high risk of developing arthritis.

In a statement, Mrs Ratcliffe had said: “The driver of the Audi initially tried to blame me.

“He ran away, which is a selfish thing to do. He had no consideration for me, and left me trapped in my vehicle.”

In December 2018, Notay pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Philip Bradley QC, defending, had said: “Debbie Ratcliffe was an innocent person going about her daily business.

“He accepts fully he is responsible for serious injuries to a completely blameless lady.”

He added that his client had “a plethora of character references”, and worked hard for modest wages to support his wife, and children.

Recorder Anupama Thompson had sentenced Notay to a 21-month suspended sentence and had told the hit-and-run driver:

“You are a man who has behaved irresponsibly, but I don’t see why your two children and one on the way should pay the penalty for that.

“It is only because of the effect it would have on your children that I have taken this course.”