Drink driver spared jail for crash during police chase

You should be utterly ashamed of the effect your criminality had ...it could have resulted in serious injuries to others, to death even Recorder Christopher Quinlan

ABANNED drink driver on a suspended sentenced who slammed into an oncoming car in a police chase has been spared immediate jail.

Police tried to pull over Taylor Williams when they spotted the Mercedes car he was driving leaving a pub in the early hours.

Bristol Crown Court heard that, instead of stopping, he drove off at speed before crashing into a Mazda MX5 being driven by Sebastian Counsell. Thankfully no one was seriously injured in the smash and Williams, who tried to flee the scene, was arrested.

Williams, 20, of Hayward Road in Staple Hill, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving while disqualified and without insurance, and driving with excess alcohol, in September last year.

Recorder Christopher Quinlan QC yesterday imposed a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He told Williams: “Mr Counsell has been profoundly affected. I am told you feel awful and you express genuine remorse.

“It could have resulted in serious injuries to others, to death even, of Mr Counsell and yourself.”

Mr Quinlan recognised, however, that the offences were 18 months ago and since then Williams had turned his life around, having not reoffended, taken steps to rehabilitate himself and landed the offer of an apprenticeship as an electrician.

As well as the suspended jail term Williams was ordered to undergo further rehabilitation, have no alcohol for 100 days, perform 150 hours’ unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for two years, with the need to take an extended driving test.

Williams declined to comment as he left court.

Robert Yates, prosecuting, said police followed Williams as he drove through residential areas at twice the speed limit.

He was lost to sight before officers heard a loud bang and discovered Williams had collided with Mr Counsell’s car on Soundwell Road.

Though Williams ran off police managed to detain him. A test revealed he had 99 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.

Mr Counsell gave an impact statement saying he was left badly bruised, was off the road for three months and experienced flashbacks. He added that he no longer felt safe on the road.

Katie Jenkins, defending, said her remorseful client admitted that at the time of the incident his life was an “absolute shambles” involving the use of alcohol and drugs, but he had been working to rehabilitate.

The court heard Williams was now a changed man with family responsibilities and an apprenticeship to start.