Banned: Drink-driver whose car crashed into Telford house had just been released from prison
A drink-driver whose car struck a house leaving it with cracks in the wall had just been released from jail, magistrates heard.
Christopher Brooks, 31, who is on prison licence for arson, was almost twice the legal limit when the Vauxhall Corsa veered off a Telford street on September 10 in wet conditions and crashed into the cottage.
Householders Neil and Jan Owen were getting ready for bed when they heard a loud noise at the property near Holy Trinity Church. When they went outside they were stunned to discover the damage to the garage and a bedroom above it.
Miss Abigail Hall, prosecuting, told Telford Magistrates Court: “Police officers were informed by way of a 999 call of a single-vehicle collision, in Holly Road, Dawley, at around 11.30pm. When they got there a Vauxhall Corsa had crashed into number 1 Holly Road and the driver was still present. Pc Payne says that he checked that the driver was injured, but he could smell alcohol on his breath.”
Miss Hall told the hearing that Brooks, who pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, measured 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
She said Brooks, of Little Eyton Fold, also in Dawley, told the officer that he had drunk three pints of Carling lager prior to getting into the car and driving it. He also said that he had exchanged details with the Owens.
Representing himself, Brooks told the court: “I’m on licence from prison. I’ve just come out of jail. I know that’s no excuse and I’ve made everything worse for myself. I would like to do the drink-driving course because I have lost my job as well now because of this case.”
The court heard that Brooks, who was sentenced to four years jail for offences of arson with intent to endanger life and making threats to kill in July 2015, was co-operating with the probation service and attending his appointments regarding his previous conviction.
Chairman of the bench Mr Anthony Wakenshaw banned Brooks from the road for 17 months, fined him £120 and ordered him to pay £135 costs and a £20 victims’ surcharge. Brooks will also be allowed to undertake the driving course which will shave 17 weeks from the disqualification.
Speaking after hearing Mr Owen, 73, who was not in court told the Shropshire Star: "I am pleased that he has been given a ban. I wouldn't like to think that he was still driving round on the roads after what he's done.
"We've had a terrible time since the crash. It's been quite unnerving and we can't sleep properly because every noise makes us jumpy.
"Also our grandchildren haven't been able to sleep over because they stay in the bedroom over the garage extension which was damaged by the impact. It's been very upsetting for us actually."
Mr Owen said the building repairs will be covered by insurance and that work on the damaged wall was due to start soon as it required propping.
