Swadlincote: Police appeal after family splashed by car

The family were walking towards a large puddle when a white car drove past and splashed them

Police are investigating after a family were soaked when a car drove through a large puddle.

The family of five, including three disabled children, were drenched "from top to toe" when the car drove by in Hearthcote Road in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, on Tuesday.

Motorists who deliberately drive through a puddle with the intention of splashing someone can be prosecuted.

The mother described the driver's actions as "unbelievably callous".

'Shocked'

She said the family, who have asked to remain anonymous, were walking along the road at about 14:20 GMT near a large puddle when a white car approached them.

After gesturing a "stopping motion" to the driver with her hand, the mother said the car "sped up" and drove through the puddle, splashing them all in the process.

"My son is 6ft tall and he was drenched. The water went right over his head," she said.

"My two-year-old granddaughter was screaming, 'I don't like it'. The pushchair was wet through."

She added: "I was shocked more than anything. It's unbelievably callous."

The woman said two of the children, aged eight and 10, had physical disabilities and were left upset.

Splashing a pedestrian by driving through a puddle near a pavement is potentially a criminal offence, which can attract fines of up to £5,000 and add nine points to a licence, under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Derbyshire Police said officers were making inquiries and appealed for information to try and trace the driver.