A drug dealer in Kent has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after drink driving and crashing into three cars and injuring a teenager.
Paul Howes, from Gravesend, failed to stop after the accident and was later found to be in possession of class A drugs.
The court heard that the 48-year-old had been driving at around 10pm on June 14, 2019, when he collided with a parked car. The collision caused him to mount the kerb a few seconds later where he hit a teenage girl who was walking along the pathway, throwing her into a nearby garden and hitting a wall, causing her serious injuries.
Howes failed to stop, instead continuing to drive along the pavement until he collided with another car, forcing it into a fence.
Several members of the public witnessed the events were able to identify the vehicle and the driver.
Police attended the scene and a roadside breath test found Howes to be between 5 and 6 times the legal drink driving limit. He was arrested but refused to take further tests for driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
During his custody at a police station, Howes racially abused a police officer and was also found to be in possession of cocaine, and a search of his vehicle led to the discovery of 10 further wraps of the class A drug as well as cannabis.
Investigating officer, PS Chris Wade from the Serious Crash Investigation Unit said: “At the sentencing, the judge said this was one of the most serious cases the court had seen for causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Not only did Howes drive on the pavement he failed to stop after he had driven into a pedestrian. It’s lucky the person he hit wasn’t killed and no-one else was injured.”
Howes pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop, racially aggravated public order, failing to comply with an impairment test, failing to provide an evidential sample of blood, and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Woolich Crown Court sentenced Howes to four-and-a-half years in prison and banned him from driving for three years following his release. He will have to take an extended retest before being allowed back behind the wheel.
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.
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