A LORRY driver who smashed into a stranded motorist’s car on the A34 while he checked Google Maps on his mobile phone, has been spared jail.

As a result of the crash, near Marcham , professional driver Cary Gordon left the woman motorist with a number of injuries.

The ‘dangerous’ driving took place some eight years after Gordon was convicted of another driving offence – causing death by careless driving in an unrelated crash.

The 58-year-old of Oakleigh Road, Worthing, had already admitted one count of dangerous driving.

At his sentencing hearing at Oxford Crown Court yesterday, prosecutor Kaj Scarsbrook said the incident took place on the A34 on August 5 last year.

Gordon was driving a HGV southbound along the A34 at about 6.30pm.

Another motorist was on the same road in a red Mercedes hire car, which broke down causing the driver to move to the side of the road.

She had stopped near a bridge at Marcham where there was no hard shoulder and she turned on her hazard lights and stayed in the car as it was unsafe to exit.

Gordon approached from behind and, in footage played to the court, was seen to use his mobile phone – checking Google Maps – moments before smashing into the woman’s car with ‘considerable force.’ She was taken to hospital and treated for her injuries.

It was also revealed that Gordon was previously jailed in 2012 for causing death by careless driving.

In mitigation Christopher Martin said his client – who had worked for Paul Mathew Transport – was a professional driver and was ‘very remorseful.’

Gordon was jailed for 14 months, suspended for two years and he must complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

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He was disqualified from driving for two years. He must also pay court costs of £425 and a victim surcharge.