A man has been jailed for three years after his “reckless actions” while drug and drink driving caused a crash that seriously injured a pregnant woman.

According to the prosecution, Dorset Police were called to the scene of an accident near Winterborne Whitechurch, which was holding the Teddy Rocks music festival on May 4 last year.

A van driver was turning off from the main road when a Ford Mondeo came up the track at very high speed, clipping the side of the van, before driving off.

A few moments later, that same Mondeo collided with an Alfa Romeo.

Witnesses said that the Mondeo, driven by the 34-year-old defendant, was swerving and travelling well over the 30mph speed limit before hitting the other car, which was travelling in the opposite direction.

The defendant continued to drive, out of control, for a further 90 metres before his vehicle left the carriageway and ended up in the field, fracturing his leg in the process.

The Alfa Romeo was being driven by a man in his 20s and his seven-month pregnant partner, who suffered a fractured wrist as well as complications in her pregnancy which led to her son being born 10 weeks later with arrested development weighing just four pounds, and they had to spend a further 5 days in hospital.

The Mondeo driver’s blood was tested while he was admitted to hospital, and the analysis revealed an alcohol level of 109mg per 100ml blood, where the legal drink driving limit is 80mg. His blood was also found to have Delta-9 THC, the active compound in cannabis, at a level of 5.6mcg per litre of blood where the legal drug driving limit is 2mcg per litre.

Police established that the defendant’s licence had expired and he was not insured to drive the vehicle involved.

Inspector Joe Pardey of the area’s traffic unit said following the sentencing: “The reckless actions of [the defendant] had a devastating impact on this young family at what should have been a very special time in their lives.

“While it is possible that their child is able to make a full recovery, the distress and anxiety caused during the final few weeks of the mother’s pregnancy and first few days of her son’s life will undoubtedly have a lasting impact.

“This case serves as another stark reminder of the shocking consequences that can arise if people choose to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs and alcohol and we will do all we can to take action against those who choose to do so and put others’ lives at risk.”

The defendant pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, drug driving, drink driving, failing to stop after an accident, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He was sentenced to three years in prison and banned from driving for seven years.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A young man from Glastonbury has received an 18-month driving ban after being caught drug driving while over the limit for three different drugs.

Prosecuting, Emma Lenanton told the court that the defendant was seen by police just before midnight on September 12 last year. A check on his number plate revealed that the vehicle was uninsured.

Initially losing sight of the 20-year-old, officers later found him parked at the roadside sitting in the driver’s seat.

While he passed a roadside breath test, a drug swipe indicated he hand traces of cocaine, its metabolite Benzoylecgonine (BZE), and cannabis in his system.

Subsequent tests showed the man to be twice the drug driving limit for cocaine and Delta-9-THC (the active ingredient in cannabis) and over 12 times the limit for BZE.

Defending, Greg Peters said that his client accepted the charges and had cooperated with police, adding: “He is a very intelligent young man, but says he was very stupid and was not aware of the nuances of his offending but now realises his actions put other road users at risk.

“He works as a full-time farm worker and his partner is expecting their first child, but on this night there was no problem with his driving and he was only pulled over due to the insurance marker.”

Mr Peters went on to say that the defendant was not aware his insurance had lapsed. He paid by direct debit and could only assume that he had missed a payment and as such was not covered.

In addition to the ban for drug driving, Magistrates in Somerset fined him £369 plus £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A 24-year-old man has appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court charged with drink driving after he agreed to pick up a friend after a night out.

Bruce Cruickshank had been out drinking on 21 February before returning home and going to sleep at around 11pm.

Around two hours later he received a call from a friend asking for a lift, which he agreed to do despite still being over three times the legal drink driving limit.

Cruickshank was pulled over by police because he was driving without his lights on.

Fiscal depute, Susan Love, said: “When he was stopped, police asked him to take a roadside breath test and he was found to be over the limit.

“The accused provided a reading of 75 microgrammes with the legal limit being 22.”

The legal drink driving limit in Scotland is lower than the 35mcg limit in England and Wales.

The defendant replied, “I can only apologise”.

Laura Gracie, defending her client, said that be believed that because he had been to sleep for a couple of hours he would be legally safe to drive.

Sheriff William Summers said: “Anyone pleading guilty must realise the inevitability of disqualification, because of the danger to other people’s lives and your own.”

After pleading guilty to drink driving, Sheriff Summers banned Cruickshank from driving for 14 months and imposed a fine of £600 plus a £40 surcharge.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A District Judge at Carlisle Magistrates Court has heard the case of an assistant head-teacher who has pleaded guilty to drink driving.

Police officers saw that a car had collided with a hedge outside a gym in the city where they found the 49-year-old defendant behind the wheel.

Tests following a roadside breath test showed the man to have 58mcg alcohol per 100ml breath where the legal drink driving limit is 35mcg.

Defending, Neil Jones said his client was on sick leave from his school in Brampton and had drunk three cans of alcohol the night before the incident on 7th Feb.

His wife gave an impassioned speech to the court explaining her husband’s serious health condition requiring him to have a kidney transplant as soon as possible, and the devastating effect it has had on him and his family.

Judge Geral Chalk banned the assistant head from driving for 12 months which may be reduced by 12 weeks on completion of the drink driving awareness course. He also fined the man £300 plus costs of £117.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A pensioner who volunteers for police road safety has been banned from the roads after being caught drink driving.

Kenneth Higgs, 72, was driving in Northumberland when a witness observed him continually braking and accelerating. She followed him until he pulled over outside a pub and got out of his car.

South East Northumberland Magistrates Court heard that he then walked towards her, shouting aggressively: “I work for an authority which tackles speeding motorists”.

The witness challenged the pensioner, stating that he appeared drunk, at which point he rushed back to his car and drove home.

Police arrested him at his home after a roadside breath test gave a reading of 52mcg alcohol per 100ml breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Prosecuting, Eve McDonnell told the court that the incident took place at around 1.30pm on October 11.

“The defendant is driving at 30mph on a road with a speed limit of 60mph,” Mrs McDonnell added. “She [the witness] said he was constantly slamming his brakes on down to 20mph then speeding back up to 30mph until reaching the main street in Seghill, where he pulls over outside a pub called the Blake Arms.

“The witness stops her vehicle as she’s of the opinion something is wrong. He approaches her vehicle, shouting in an aggressive manner, saying he works for an authority that tackles speeding motorists.”

The witness told Higgs “You stink of drink”.

Defending, Stewart Hay said that his client was extremely remorseful and had only consumed two cans of 8% lager prior to driving.

“Mr Higgs volunteers with driving safety and he thought he was being tailgated by the witness,” the solicitor added. “That is why he speeds up and slows down.”

District Judge Paul Currer told Higgs: “It’s a very sad occasion to see a man of your standing in the community appear in court.

“Your ability to drive was impaired. Given you volunteer for Northumbria Police to assist in road safety matters makes your offending even more baffling.”

After he pleaded guilty to drink driving, Judge Currer banned Higgs from the roads for 12 months and imposed a fine of £262. He must also pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

A 20-year-old man has been banned from the roads before he even passed his driving test after he was caught drink driving.

Bath Magistrates Court heard that Samuel Gilling was picked up by police after they noticed a Vauxhall “driving at speed” in Radstock. After stopping the car, they observed that the defendant was slurring his speech and unsteady on his feet.

A roadside breath test showed Gilling to have 76mcg alcohol per 100ml breath where the legal limit is just 35mcg.

Police then discovered that Gilling only had a provisional driving license and was driving without insurance.

Gilling’s barrister said that his client had not planned to drive that night, but had borrowed a friend’s car in the early hours of the morning.

“He didn’t think he was driving at any great speed. He was the only vehicle on the road at the time,” he said, adding that his client “cooperated fully” with police.

“He regrets his mistake, he realises it was a stupid thing to do. His driving test was meant to be next week,”

The barrister went on to say that Gilling works in a wood factory and still lives with his mother.

“He is a young man who behaved foolishly – fortunately no harm was done,” he said.

After pleading guilty to drink driving and driving without insurance, Magistrates fined Gilling £250 for each offence, as well as banning him from the roads for 20 months. He must also pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £32. For driving without a full license, his driving record was endorsed. Gilling’s ban may be reduced by 152 days if he completes the drink driving awareness course.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

An 18-year-old man has appeared at Chester Magistrates Court after committing a string of drug driving offences in Chester, Ellesmere Port, and Nester.

Sarah Egan, prosecuting, told the court that Thomas Spencer Smith had committed “a substantial amount of offences” as well as the “aggravating features” of having two previous convictions for possession of a controlled substance and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Police stopped Smith on August 4 2019, where he was found to have traces of both cocaine and cannabis in his blood.

A month later he was stopped in a car on September 2 in Ellesmere Port where he was again found to have traces of cocaine and cannabis in his system.

The final offence took place on September 26 where Smith was stopped riding a motorcycle and found to have cocaine in his bloodstream.

Lionel Grieg, defending, said that his client had made “a catalogue of mistakes towards the end of last year and early part of this year.” Smith had appeared before Chester Crown Court on February 28 where he received a nine-month suspended sentence for stalking. He was also banned from driving for 18 months and is subject to a four-month electronic curfew, keeping him at home between 8pm and 6am.

For the drug driving charges, magistrates sentenced him to three months in prison, suspended for two years. as well as banning him from the roads for three years. His jail term will run consecutively to his February sentence, while the driving ban will run concurrently.

Smith was also fined £80 for a breach of a community order imposed by Chester Magistrates on October 28 last year.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A man from Kings Lynn has been banned after being caught drink driving while helping out a friend.

Andrius Kulse, 49, was pulled over when a police check showed that the car he was driving was not insured.

Emma Wright, prosecuting, told the court: “Officers saw a can of beer in the car and therefore breathalysed him.”

Kulse failed the test, and officers also found that he did not have a driving licence.

Once in custody, tests showed the defendant to have 84mcg alcohol per 100ml breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Mitigating, Andrew Cogan said: “It’s amazing what you will do for friends. He was asked by a friend of his to drive him to another friend’s house in order to collect his girlfriend.

“Mr Kulse did believe he was fit to drive. There was an open can of cider in the passenger side.

“When Mr Kulse was arrested, his friend went on his merry way with his can in his hand. That’s what friends are for.”

Kulse pleaded guilty to drink driving, driving without insurance, and driving without a licence. Magistrates banned him from driving for 22 months as well as imposing a fine of £120 plus £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

For driving without insurance, Magistrates fined him £120, with no separate penalty for driving without a licence.

His ban may be reduced if he completes the drink driving rehabilitation course.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A Leeds man has been jailed after drug driving on cocaine, and leading police on a 15-minute high-speed chase through the city.

Prosecuting, Bashir Ahmen told the court how seven police cars, along with the West Yorkshire Police helicopter became involved in the pursuit of 21-year-old Brandon Ismay on December 23.

Officers spotted him at around 3am in his Peugeot van, wanting to stop him as they had seen a defect on the vehicle.

Ismay switched off his headlights and sped away from them, mounting a kerb and driving on the wrong side of the road, before reaching 99mph on the Stanningly bypass.

He was found in possession of cocaine, and Mr Ahmed told the court: “He clearly appeared to be under the influence of drink and drugs”.

A roadside drug swipe proved positive for cocaine, however, Ismay refused to provide a blood sample, citing a fear of needles.

With previous convictions for drug and driving offences, Ismay moved away from Leeds in a bid to stay out of trouble, said Sean Smith, mitigating.

He said the latest offences occurred after making the mistake of returning to Leeds for Christmas.

“He had turned his life around for the better by moving away,” said Mr Smith.

“He has undone all the good work in one fell swoop.

“There is only himself to blame if he is sent to custody today.”

After pleading guilty to dangerous driving, possession of a class A drug, driving without insurance and driving without a licence, Judge Penelope Belcher told Ismay “It is time to mature and grow up” before jailing him for 18 months, as well as banning him from the roads for 16 months thereafter.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A drink driving trucker who was found crashing into cars, a lorry, a house wall and “creating a huge risk to other people” has been jailed.

43-year-old Kristian Malkowski started his journey in Chester and finished in Nottingham after driving through Manchester, Leeds, and Doncaster.

Nottingham Crown Court heard that the Polish national was found to be wearing no shoes in the wrecked cab, as well as a beer can on the floor.

Malkowski suffered a foot injury in the accident on December 19, and the right-hand side of the cab was crushed. No-one else was injured.

Prosecuting, Hal Ewing told the court that hospital tests following the accident showed Malkowski to have 262mcg alcohol per 100ml blood. The legal drink driving limit is 80mcg.

The driver of a Mini, who had his five-year-old son in the passenger seat, had to pull to one side to avoid the oncoming HGV.

Another lorry driver, with whom Malkowski also collided, said: “I thought my days were up […] I can’t stop thinking about what could have happened.”

Lauren Butts, mitigating, said that Malkowski was delivering garden furniture and had “a few drinks” on the night. He cannot remember the crash.

“He does recognise the seriousness of it and the impact it would have on others,” said Miss Butts.

Her client, a volunteer fireman, had never been in trouble before, and his employers addressed a reference to the court praising his “responsibility and reliability”.

Judge Steven Coupland said: “All drivers have a duty to drive safely, drivers of heavy goods vehicles more so.

“There are no small accidents in lorries.

“Driving a heavy goods vehicle in the way you did created a huge risk to other people.

“You were so drunk you drove erratically, you hit a central reservation and you caused a number of vehicles to take serious evasive action.”

After pleading guilty to drink driving and dangerous driving, Judge Coupland sentenced Malkowski to 14 months in prison and banned him from driving for three years thereafter.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.