Former rugby star abandoned damaged car and fled after crash – then had a nap

The former Wakefield Wildcats, Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants player, who is now a budding actor, could face prison over the incident in Birstall.

Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday how Mason, 33, was in a Nissan Qashqai 4x4 on the afternoon of August 9 last year when Katie Galvin, who was in her Mini Cooper with her daughters aged eight and 11, saw Mason driving erratically towards her on Cambridge Road.

She pulled her car to the side of the road, but Mason drove directly at her and appeared to accelerate before crashing into her.

Prosecutor Michael Miles told the court Mason walked away despite being warned by a witness he would end up in trouble. He later told police he went to his nearby sister’s house where he “collapsed onto the bed”.

Mr Miles said: “He slept for five or six hours and didn’t report the matter to police.”

Mason, who failed to attend court, was found guilty in his absence of careless driving, leaving the scene of a collision and failing to exchange details.

Sentencing was adjourned until February 3. Mason could face up to 26 weeks in prison.