A former Coronation Street star has been spared jail after pleading guilty to seriously injuring two girls by careless and inconsiderate driving.
Louis Emerick Grant, who played Steve and Andy McDonald’s former teacher Mike Thornberry in the soap in 2018, was accused of injuring the two 12-year-old girls as they crossed a road.
Grant, 64, who has previously lived in south Manchester, caused serious injury to the two girls when they were hit by the Honda he was driving in Wallasey, Wirral on October 2 last year.
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The two girls were heading to a shop on the other side of the road at the time of the incident, The Mirror reports. As they reached the middle of the road, Grant’s car was seen to cut the corner of the right-hand bend and entered the centre hatched markings before colliding with the two girls.
One girl suffered a fractured leg and the other, a fractured leg and ankle, a broken nose, broken jaw and broken teeth. Both were unable to return to school for several months after spending time in Alder Hey hospital and will also require further surgery.
Grant, who also played Mick Johnson in Brookside, was not seen to slow down or brake on the approach to the girls. The weather was dry and clear and there was good visibility.
Grant told officers that he had looked to his nearside but did not see the girls crossing ahead. He blamed the sun, but accepted that, if his vision was impaired, he should have reduced his speed. He was wearing prescription glasses at the time which react to the sun.
He was arrested and charged with two offences of causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving. He pleaded guilty at Wirral Magistrates’ Court on May 23.
The soap star was handed a 26 week prison sentence suspended for 12 months as well as an 18 month driving ban.
Grant was breathalysed at the scene but there was no evidence he had taken drink or drugs or that he was using his phone at the time of the crash.
District Crown Prosecutor Linda Melia, of CPS Mersey Cheshire, said: “This was an extremely distressing incident and the two girls suffered serious injuries as a result of what happened on that day.
"Louis Emerick Grant was not speeding but admitted that he couldn’t see clearly because of the sun so he should have slowed down. The sun visor of the car was not down.
“He has been fully cooperative and remorseful throughout the investigation and has apologised on numerous occasions. He has been in contact with both families and has apologised to them too. He tested negatively at the roadside for drink and drugs.
“When we drive a car we are in control of something powerful that, if we lose concentration or clear vision for a minute, can cause serious injury, even death.
"It’s clear Mr Grant did not mean to injure these girls, but the events of that day are a lesson that, when we are at the wheel of a car, care and attention are needed at all times.
“When we don’t drive carefully or considerately we are breaking the law and this case is an example of how serious the results of that can be. The Crown Prosecution Service would like to thank the girls and their families for their help in bringing this prosecution.”
Grant played cabbie Mick on Brookside from the years 1989 to 2001. He has also played roles in Casualty, Benidorm, Layer Cake and Last of the Summer Wine.
