A DRUNK teenage driver from Weymouth failed to stop after crashing into a parked car when he got behind the wheel following an argument with his girlfriend, a court heard.
Prosecuting, Charles Nightingale told Weymouth Magistrates' Court that shortly after midnight on June 27 a police officer watching traffic on the A354 Weymouth Relief Road had their attention drawn to 19-year-old Reed Russell's car due to significant noise.
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The officer saw that Russell's Blue Volkswagen Passat was significantly damaged, with smoke coming from the vehicle and parts of the car dragging along the ground.
The court heard that Russell, of Goldcroft Road, Weymouth, had crashed into a parked Vauxhall Meriva on South Court Avenue in Dorchester and drove off, leaving part of his vehicle at the scene of the crash.
Russell was pulled over and failed a roadside test for alcohol. The test found that Russell had 63 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, almost twice the legal limit.
Mr Nightingale said Russell did not answer questions when being interviewed by police but did provide explicit admissions in a written statement.
Mitigating, Ms Tring said Russell had gone out that night to his friend's house with his girlfriend and was planning to stay the night and leave his car there.
However that night she said Russell had an argument with his girlfriend.
Ms Tring said: "After drinking there he loses his judgement and he decided he would rather go home.
"He hit a parked car, panicked and drove away."
"He is learning a very difficult lesson and he is learning it the hard way."
Russell admitted failing to stop after crashing into a parked car in Dorchester and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Chairman of the bench, Michael Davis, said: "Mr Russell, you are a 19-year-old young man.
"To your credit this was your first time in court and you pleaded guilty which says a lot for you."
For the charge of drink driving Russell was disqualified from driving for the next 17 months, has to complete a drink driving rehabilitation course before June 25, 2022 and fined £400.
For failing to stop after crashing into the parked car Russell's driving licence will be endorsed and he was ordered to pay a £100 fine, as well as £85 toward prosecutions costs and a £50 victim surcharge.
As Russell left the dock, Mr Davis said: "We don't want to see you back in court."
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