A DRINK driver caught three times the limit following a crash collapsed in the dock after being convicted of the offence at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court.
An ambulance had to be called for Christopher Pitt-Pladdy, 42, who appeared in court following an incident earlier this year when his car rolled over after he fled from police.
After magistrates told him his case will be adjourned to allow a probation report to be written up, Pitt-Pladdy was seen to faint. Court staff went to his aid and an ambulance was called.
The courtroom was closed to the public and press and court cases to be heard on Friday afternoon (July 9) were moved to another courtroom.
It is understood he made his own way home after being treated by paramedics.
'Startled' drink driver sped away from police officers at beauty spot, court hears
The court had earlier heard that police had came across Pitt-Pladdy's parked vehicle at Buckham Down, near Beaminster around 10.30pm on Tuesday, January 12.
Prosecuting, Richard Oakley, said: “Officers inside an unmarked police vehicle located a vehicle in a beauty spot near Tunnel Road. They saw the defendant in the driver’s seat with the engine running. He was sleeping but he was awoken by officers.
“They were unable to engage in conversation with the defendant and the defendant reached over to the gear stick and he put it in gear. The officer tried to turn off the ignition but the defendant sped off.”
Police followed and shortly after spotted the defendant's overturned Citroen Grand Picasso in undergrowth alongside a road junction with Pitt-Pladdy still inside the severely damaged vehicle.
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After being removed, Pitt-Pladdy was arrested and escorted to Dorset County Hospital where a sample of blood was taken for analysis. Tests showed there was 245 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of his blood. The drink drive limit is 80 milligrams.
In interview, Pitt-Pladdy explained he was ‘startled’ by the officers who awoke him and he ‘panicked’.
Mr Oakley said: “He said he had depression, suffered from anxiety and was on medication.
“Earlier in the day, he had been driving to work but he couldn’t due to his anxiety. He spent all day trying to calm down.”
Pitt-Pladdy, of East Street, Beaminster, pleaded guilty to drink driving and failed to stop a vehicle when required by police.
Drink driver drove to beauty spot to 'gather his thoughts'
Mitigating, Ian Brazier, said Pitt-Pladdy had struggled with his mental health following a separation from his wife and had visited the beauty spot to ‘gather his thoughts’ and calm down following a stressful day.
He said: “He had a drink in the car and he cannot say if he was over the limit when he drove to the location or if he drank prior.”
Mr Brazier said the crash had prompted remorseful Pitt-Pladdy to re-evaluate his life and he voluntarily gave up driving and stopped drinking. He has also since engaged with support services of Reach.
Mr Brazier added: “I think he had been going through some psychiatric examinations and testing and felt quite good in himself. He started not taking his medication. He wasn’t thinking straight and this is the end result.
“The good thing is that he lives to tell the tale.
“He has been waiting for a court date to come along. He has not been idle in that time and has sought help.
"The worst torture has been for this day to come and once sentencing, whether it be today or another date, he can see a clearer way forward.”
Defendant left court unharmed after being assessed
Magistrates adjourned the sentencing until August 5. Pitt-Pladdy was issued with an interim driving ban.
After the defendant fainted in court, a court spokesman confirmed that he was treated in the courtroom and was uninjured.
He said: “An ambulance was called after a defendant fell ill at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court, and paramedics treated them in the court.”
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