Ban for driver who fled (From Dorset Echo)

Ban for driver who fled

9:47am Wednesday 18th July 2007

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A MAN whose car crashed into another vehicle carrying a pregnant passenger has been disqualified from driving.

Anthony Joseph Gavin, 52, of Carisbrooke, Weymouth, fled the scene after crashing his Vauxhall Cavalier into a Fiat Punto near Morrisons supermarket in Weymouth in June.

Magistrates handed down a 12-month supervision requirement to Gavin with an attached requirement to attend a drink-impaired drivers' programme.

He was disqualified from driving for 16 months from June 15 onwards and ordered to pay £43 costs.

He had previously pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, without insurance and failing to stop after an accident.

Prosecutor Francesca de Costa said the 24-year-old man driving the Punto and his pregnant, 19-year-old passenger were rushed to Dorset County Hospital in an ambulance following the collision.

Miss de Costa said Gavin failed to stop and was followed from the scene of the accident by a member of the public, who eventually detained him until the police arrived.

In a police interview Gavin admitted having drunk four or five pints of alcohol in the Golden Lion pub in Weymouth before driving, magistrates heard.

The court was told that he had 57 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35mcg.

Gavin, who appeared unrepresented, said: "I've never done anything like this before in my life and I deeply regret it, especially having heard about the young lady."

He told the court he had served in the RAF and had run his own painting and decorating business for a time but can no longer work.

He was told that if he successfully completed a driver rehabilitation course the disqualification period could be reduced to 12 months.

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