A drink-driver who crashed his Audi into another car then fled the scene has been banned from the roads. Samuel Lovatt was found to be twice the legal drink-drive limit when he was arrested on 29 May last year.
The 32-year-old had turned to drinking after struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of his 12-year relationship, a court heard. Lovatt started drinking alcohol mixed with antidepressants, which resulted in a change in his behaviour. He then crashed his grey Audi A3 into a silver Hyundai Tucson.
The collision and its aftermath
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard how Lovatt fled the scene following the accident. Prosecutor Kyle Padley told the court: “The victim was rear-ended by another car which was being driven by the defendant. He failed to stop at the scene.
“The defendant then entered the property of a female through the back garden. He went up the stairs and threw the car keys on the bed.
“The defendant told the woman he’d been in an accident. She called 999. She did not live far from the scene of the accident.
“Officers arrived and found the defendant who was clearly under the influence. He admitted he had been drinking earlier that afternoon.
“A breath test was performed and he blew 78 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath. This is over the prescribed legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
“Officers arrested the defendant and took him into custody. He began punching the walls of his cell before smearing his blood over them. Police had to enlist specialist cleaners at a cost of £195.”
Convictions and background
Lovatt, of Woodhall Place, Newcastle, was convicted of drink-driving, failure to stop, and causing criminal damage. Probation service officer Nick Sutton told the court that Lovatt is a suitable candidate for community rehabilitation.
He noted that unpaid work might not be appropriate as Lovatt is presently approximately £35,000 in debt. Mr Sutton stated: “He was suffering with depression and had been prescribed sertraline.
“Unfortunately, as we have heard in this court before, he mixed that with alcohol which caused a change in his behaviour. He has since gone back to the GP to change his medication and completed a programme with Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Service.
“He no longer consumes alcohol. His risk of reoffending is tied to his use of alcohol. He was driving a relatively new car which he had only owned for a month. His insurance paid out for the damages caused to the other vehicle, but it didn’t pay out for the damages to his vehicle. This left him with significant debt.”
Mitigation offered on his behalf
Scott Ashdown, mitigating, stated that Lovatt had been behaving uncharacteristically and had subsequently taken steps to address his conduct. He explained: “He is 32 years old and of previous good character. It appears to have been a combination of factors causing a maelstrom.
“He acted to address his issues before the intervention of the probation service, which shows a great deal of responsibility on his part. That is a very significant factor to consider. It demonstrates that he wants to sort out these problems, move on, and live his life.
“He has been living with his mother and working at a warehouse to pay off his debts. He struggled to pay my fees, but I want to see him do well so I have given him a chance. I ask your worships to give him a chance too.”
The sentence
Lovatt was handed a 20-month driving ban. He was also given a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days and a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement, and ordered to pay £709 in costs.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
