A leading south Essex councillor was today considering his political future after being convicted of careless driving.

Dennis Williams, a long-standing member of Castle Point Council, said he was "devastated" by the verdict and spoke of the toll the incident had taken on his family life.

He said: "I believe this case wouldn't have been brought forward if I wasn't a local councillor. I'll be spending this Christmas considering my future. "

Mr Williams, Labour member for Canvey North, pleaded not guilty to charges of careless driving and failing to give way at a zebra crossing.

He was fined £300 and received six penalty points on his driving licence yesterday after Southend Magistrates' Court heard how he had crashed into another car.

Prosecutor Keith Rylands told the court Mr Williams, of Canvey Road, Canvey, approached a zebra crossing in his red Austin Maestro on April 13. Two boys, aged 12 and 13, were stepping onto the crossing in Long Road, Canvey, when Mr Williams revved his engine and sped past before losing control and colliding with driver Linda Walsh, it was alleged.

Mrs Walsh was pulling out of the junction of New Road, but did not see Mr Williams. She said: "He just came straight out of the blue."

Mr Williams maintained throughout the hearing they had remained at the roadside.

He said: "I was travelling at ten to 15 miles an hour when I approached the crossing. There was other traffic behind me, including a lorry.

"If I had stopped I would have caused a terrible accident. Then the other driver just pulled out and there was nothing I could do."

However, Mr Williams was found guilty of both offences.

Mr Williams was ordered to pay £180 costs.

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