Motorist could face prosecution for puddle drenching

A motorist who was filmed drenching children at a bus stop by going through a puddle could face prosecution, police said today.

Kerry Callard's driving in Plymouth, Devon came to the attention of officers after a 30-second movie clip was posted on YouTube.

The footage from inside the car captures the drive down Weston Mill Hill and through the large puddle where the group are waiting.

Police said the 29-year-old had contacted them voluntarily about the incident last Thursday and the evidence was now being reviewed.

A male voice is heard commenting on the clip saying: "Here we go, ready to drench the kids.." and later "That was Brilliant! Awesome!".

Although the extract has been removed from YouTube there are several other so-called "happy splashing" videos on the internet.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said today: "We had three complaints from members of the public and as a result a 29-year-old woman was interviewed. The file has gone to the CPS for consideration."

Charges of careless or even dangerous driving could be brought for this type of offence, the force said.

The spokesman added: "Although driving through standing water may be seen as a bit of fun, potentially it is very dangerous.

"Not only is it showing no consideration to the pedestrians who may get a soaking, but it could result in the driver losing control of the vehicle due to the force of the water snatching the wheel from the hands, or by the vehicle aquaplaning."

Callard has claimed the children asked to be splashed and would not have done it otherwise.

She told the Daily Mail: "The fun factor is mostly gone from life these days but they were playing in puddles, like kids always have done.

"If the kids weren't saying 'Splash me, splash me', I certainly wouldn't have done it. I'm not a serial splasher."

The force said the children's possible agreement to the stunt would make no difference to how the standard of driving was judged.

A motorist from Somerset who soaked a workman by driving through a puddle was prosecuted in 2005. He was fined £150 and given three penalty points by magistrates in Yeovil after he admitted driving without due consideration.