Drink driver banned for a year after crashing in Shrewsbury and hiding in hedge
A drink driver who fled police and hid in a hedgerow has been banned from the road for a year.
Wayne Geoffrey Thomas, 44, crashed his Vauxhall Insignia on the B5062 in Sundorne, Shrewsbury, heading towards Haughmond on the evening of December 23 last year.
Telford Magistrates Court heard that shortly after 10pm, a member of the public reported a crash near Haughmond.
When police arrived, Thomas had fled the scene, but was found shortly after, hiding in a hedgerow.
Officers smelled alcohol on his breath so conducted a roadside breathalyser, which came back positive.
He was found to have 56mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - well above the legal limit of 35mg.
Thomas, of Cleveland Avenue, High Ercall, Telford, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.
He told magistrates that he is a Parcelforce manager of 17 years and also cares for his parents.
He said: "I made the wrong decision that night and I'll pay the consequences. The only thing I'm glad about is that no-one was injured."
Magistrates fined him £576, and ordered him to pay a surcharge of £58 and court costs of £135.
He will also undertake a driving course to try and get his ban reduced.
