A CRIMINAL who was jailed for conspiring with a police officer, has been ordered to pay more than £1,000 for driving without due care and attention.

Gary Knox, who denied the driving charge, caused a crash when he overtook a car as it was turning right in Morris Green Lane just before 2pm on July 2 last year.

Andrew Hey, prosecuting, told Bolton Magistrates’ Court that the crash victim, Julie Williams, and her husband, Michael Williams, were injured when the Vauxhall Corsa she was driving was hit by a white Audi — driven by Knox — as she indicated to turn right into Grendon Street, Bolton. The car that Knox was driving ploughed through a garden wall of a house in Morris Green Lane, causing £2,000-worth damage to the wall.

Knox, of Adrian Road, Halliwell, who failed to turn up at court yesterday for his trial, was found guilty by magistrates.

Mrs Williams told the court: “I slowed down and went into second gear. I commenced to turn into Grendon Street, then a car hit me. I didn’t know where it came from.

She added: “I was a bit intimidated when I saw who was in the car. I didn’t know them. There were three people in the car. Knox said he would get the car sorted out and it would cost me nothing, but I said it was ‘all right, thanks’.”

Mr Williams said Knox got into his wife’s Vauxhall and moved it without her permission.

Eric Higginson had been driving behind Mrs Williams’ car and heard the crash after he turned left into Granville Road. He said he saw a man, who matched 37-year-old Knox’s description, moving the Corsa away from the wall.

A statement from a police officer, who attended the scene, said Knox said he did not think Mrs Williams knew which way she was going. He was later reported for driving without due care and attention.

No evidence was provided on behalf of Knox.

Magistrates ordered Knox to pay a £600 fine, £400 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

His driving licence will be endorsed with seven penalty points.

Knox previously served a six-year jail term for conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office after buying an A-Z book of drug dealers from a police officer.