PRINCE Philip could be hauled before the courts or stripped of his licence after a horror smash in his Land Rover last night, celeb lawyer “Mr Loophole” claims.
The 97-year-old was pulled from the wreckage after being “T-boned” by a Kia carrying two women and a nine-month-old baby close to Sandringham Estate.
How the crash unfolded
Philip is understood to have collided with the car after pulling out on a main road, witnesses claim.
Police have launched a routine investigation.
Nick “Mr Loophole” Freeman now says he could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention, which carries an unlimited fine.
But Philip would have a good defence after reportedly being blinded by the sun before the smash on the the A419 at Babingley, Norfolk.
The fiercely independent royal may also avoid prosecution by surrendering his licence.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
Mr Loophole, who is known for representing celebrity clients such as David Beckham, said: “If he simply drove without due care and attention because of a relevant medical issue – because maybe at 97 you’re just not as sharp as you would have been – and he’s just made a mistake, which is probably what’s happened – on the face of it he would be driving without due care and attention.”
Crown Prosecution Service guidelines state the offence is committed when a person’s driving falls below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver.
This applies when “the manner of driving in question is deliberate and when it occurs as a result of incompetence, inadvertence or inexperience”.
POSSIBLE FINE
If convicted, the Duke of Edinburgh could face up to nine points and an unlimited fine based on net disposable income.
Mr Loophole joked: “Taxpayers’ tax could go up a penny in the pound.”
But he explained prosecutors must first weigh up whether it is in the public interest to bring any charges.
He added: “In my view even if he’s found to be at fault, I think anyone advising him would contact the CPS and say look, he now accepts he shouldn’t be driving and he’s going to undertake to surrender his licence and not drive again.”
But the lawyer said the decision must be balanced with the people in the other car, who both had to be taken to hospital.
‘SHOULDN’T BE RISKING LIVES’
The 28-year-old driver suffered cuts to her knees and a 45-year-old passenger was left with a broken wrist.
A nine-month-old baby in the car was miraculously unhurt, cops said today as they confirmed they were investigating the crash.
Mr Loophole said: “They might say, ‘We don’t care who he is’.
“They might think at his age, at his position, he could afford a driver, he’s got all the facilities, he shouldn’t be risking the lives of others. They might push for prosecution.”
OTHER ROYALS
Members of the royal family have been prosecuted for driving offences in the past.
Philip’s daughter the Princess Royal was given a written warning for speeding on the M1 in 1972 and fined £40 after she was clocked doing 96mph on the same motorway five years later.
Older drivers and the law
The crash comes after safety experts have warned of the increased dangers of older drivers getting behind the wheel.
Figures show in 2018, the number of drivers aged over 70 referred by the DVLA for extra testing went up by 20 per cent.
Under the law, Prince Philip will have had to reapply for his licence once he reached the age of 70.
There is no test or medical but a declaration has to be made.
Once over 70, he will have had to reapply for his licence every three years.
In 1990, she was banned from driving and fined £150 for speeding by magistrates in Stow-on-the-Wold, and in 2001 she was fined £400 after admitting driving her Bentley at 93mph on a dual carriageway.
‘DAZZLED BY SUN’
Shaken Philip is now being cared for by royal doctors and the Queen is by his side at the Sandringham estate.
Dramatic pictures showed the royal vehicle on its side after the shocking collision.
Both drivers were breathalysed but had not been drinking, Norfolk Police said.
Stunned witness Roy Warne, 75, was driving home with his wife Victoria, 72, when they saw the royal’s car flip yesterday – immediately rushing to help and pull the royal to safety.
He said the royal complained of being “dazzled” by the sun before the smash.
Mr Warne added: “I looked down and had the Prince’s blood on my hands.
“All I could think is, thank goodness there wasn’t more.”
MOST READ IN NEWS
The royal retired from public life in August 2017 after decades supporting the Queen and attending events for his own charities and organisations.
Despite undergoing a hip replacement last year he has continued driving.
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/prince-philip-could-be-prosecuted-or-give-up-his-licence-over-crash-in-land-rover-claims-mr-loophole-lawyer/
News Photo Prince Philip ‘could be prosecuted or give up his licence over crash in Land Rover’, claims ‘Mr Loophole’ lawyer
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