A man from Plymouth has been banned from the roads for drug driving after leading police on a dangerous chase along winding country roads in the county before finally crashing.
Drivers alerted police after they saw him driving erratically on the North Devon link road, almost causing one accident by coming to a sudden dead stop, then weaving randomly across the carriageway forcing other cars to swerve to avoid him.
The 24-year-old, who had been celebrating his birthday the night before the crash in July last year, was so high on cannabis that he lit a cigarette in the wreck of his vehicle and giggled while receiving hospital treatment.
He didn’t notice police following him for a full five minutes while they tried to stop him, before finally speeding off when he saw their flashing lights.
Officers in pursuit were forced to abandon the chase due to the manner of his driving on country roads.
Prosecuting, Nigel Wraith told Exeter Crown Court that the man became aggressive to police at the scene of his crash as they attempted to arrest him on suspicion of dangerous driving and drug driving.
He also witnessed giggling on the police bodycam giggling as he refused to be tested for blood.
Mitigating, Ryan Murray said his client had started using recreational drugs after his previously successful business failed due to a customer failing to pay a £200,000 debt.
He had also been treated for mental illness and his relationship with the mother of his child had broken down.
In the period between the accident and appearing in court, the man had rebuilt his life and is now running a new business that has already taken on an apprentice.
Judge Peter Johnson told him: “It is quite clear that the reason you were not in control of your vehicle was that you were under the influence of cannabis, as you admitted to the writer of the pre-sentence report.
“This was extremely dangerous driving which included overtaking on blind bends with no visibility. It was just good fortune on the part of fellow motorists and you that there was not a very serious accident.
“Against that, I have heard that you are a thoroughly decent young man with a good work ethic. This is a major blemish on a previously unblemished character.”
After pleading guilty to dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen, Judge Johnson sentenced the man to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months and banned him from driving for 18 months. He also imposed costs of £1,200 and ordered the man to undertake 200 hours of unpaid community work.
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.
