Web of lies to shift blame

As the gravity of the situation dawned on Jeremy Mullins in the moments after the crash, he started to concoct a web of lies to absolve himself of blame.

He was breathalysed at the scene and gave a reading of 36 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of his breath – one microgram above the legal limit.

Mullins then failed a further test at the police station two hours later, but denied he had been drinking that day, claiming he had drunk cider the night before.

But text messages downloaded from his mobile phone revealed he had met a friend at the nearby Coach and Horses pub before the crash.

At his trial, he admitted he had drunk two white wine spritzers, but considered them to be more like soft drinks.

“I didn’t feel they had impaired my ability or left me incapable of driving,” he told the jury. “I considered them to be a lunchtime soft drink option.”

Mullins initially suggested the motorbike may not have had its lights on, and was perhaps overtaking or speeding.

But in court he said: “I thought I could complete the manoeuvre safely but there was a massive explosion. I had seen nothing but I have concluded the motorcycle must have been there and it was my fault entirely.”

The judge, Recorder Anthony Clover, banned Mullins from driving for four years and seven months.

He told him the fact he did not see the HarleyDavidson, which was driving at the correct speed and with its lights on, was partially due to the alcohol.

Mullins said he had looked both ways before pulling out into the main road.

He accepted that his failure to see the bike was careless driving but the prosecution argued it was dangerous driving.

A jury agreed and he was convicted on two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He also admitted drink driving and having no insurance.

Picture: Kent Police Jeremy Mullins