27-year-old Leon Gladdis, a notorious local criminal who fled the scene of the serious hit-and-run crash in Ryde earlier this year, has been handed another prison sentence.
Gladdis, now of HMP Guys Marsh, appeared before Magistrates via video link today (Tuesday) and admitted driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance and driver of a vehicle failing to report a road traffic accident.
Prosecutor Lauren McConnell told the court that on the evening of 22nd May, Police were called to Ryde’s Great Preston Road following a collision involving a Honda Civic and a parked Audi A4 – as first reported by Island Echo.
The court heard how the Japanese hatchback that Gladdis was driving had been left severely damaged in the middle of the road, with debris spread across the carriageway. One of the wheels from the Civic had been ripped off and careered through a wooden fence panel into a resident’s front garden.
Both of the involved vehicles were written off in the smash.
Gladdis didn’t hang around at the scene and made off before Police arrived. Officers were able to ascertain a description of the driver from witnesses.
A few days later, whilst investigating the matter, officers obtained CCTV footage that showed the 27-year-old at Tesco Petrol Station just before the crash. Evidence collated from the deployed airbag on the crashed Civic also confirmed his presence at the scene.
Witnesses described seeing the vehicle cutting across the forecourt at Westridge Garage, nearly losing control in the process, just seconds before the crash.
The court heard today how following his detainment, Gladdis was immediately recalled to prison where he has remained since June.
The 27-year-old has a total of 29 convictions for 61 offences, and has what Magistrates described as a ‘horrendous record of driving offences’.
At the time of this offence, Gladdis was 12 months into a 3-year driving ban, imposed back in May 2023.
Defending Gladdis, Jim Osborne told the court that he deserved full credit for his early guilty plea and that he deeply regrets his behaviour on the day in question.
Magistrates handed Gladdis a 12-week prison sentence for driving whilst disqualified and another 12-week, concurrent sentence for the offence of failing to report a road traffic accident.
Gladdis also saw his current ban extended by a further 12 months, meaning he is currently banned from the roads for a further 2 years 6 months and 11 days.
Leon Gladdis’ earliest possible release date from prison is March 2025.
Is that all he got?? Basically don’t be a bad boy don’t do it again
so be out by chrismas then and laughing all the way..and carry on from where he left off..brilliant
The law is a soft touch.
The Island is getting worse, see all the council house
tenants looked like they were enjoying a free show.
His driving licence should be never given back to him
Unless behind bars, scum like this will
KEEP re-offending.
Makes one wonder what speed he was travelling at!
Just like many other Island Roads, Gt Preston is a
speedway.
I no longer use this Road, safer to drive along
Marlborough Road, much wider too.
Kathy, did you not understand that even without a driving license, he was STILL driving. He will do whatever he wants and sod the law and everyone else. He should be put down like the manky idiot that he is. He has NEVER been any use to society and never will. We just carry on paying our taxes to give him pocket money for his fags and booze and most likely drugs. Whatever is wrong with this incredibly soft country?