Drink-drive mechanic left trail of car wrecks
AMECHANIC was almost twice the drink-drive limit when he ploughed his van into parked cars on his way home from the pub, a court heard.
Matthew Pilkington left a number of vehicles mangled in the street after crashing his Mercedes following a night out.
The impact of the initial smash was so severe it caused a ‘concertina effect’, shunting a parked car into several others, Manchester magistrates court heard.
Pictures of the aftermath of the crash, in Wardle on August 9, showed debris scattered across the road and cars with bonnets caved in, windows smashed and bumpers hanging off.
On Tuesday, magistrates heard how earlier that night Pilkington, 24, an HGV mechanic of Butterworth Street, Littleborough, had been drinking with friends in his local pub.
He had intended to leave his van outside the pub and pick it up in the morning, but upon leaving ‘felt okay to drive’ and got behind the wheel, the court was told.
But as he drove along Birch Road in Wardle, at about 12.20am, he hit a parked car.
Pilkington was breathtested after the crash and gave an alcohol reading of 61mg – the legal limit is 35mg.
Speaking to the Observer the morning after, one of car owners, who gave her name as Mandy, told how neighbours ‘from 20 houses up’ heard the crash. She added: “I was the first one out. I ran across the grass thinking I was going to find a dead body. I was in so much shock I couldn’t register what had happened.
“My car’s engine was on the floor. My husband’s was near the houses. It was horrific, I dread to think what could have happened.”
Ben Leech, defending, said Pilkington’s six-year relationship with his girlfriend had ended shortly before the incident and he had taken the break-up ‘very badly’.
Mr Leech added: “This is an incident which is entirely out of character. He is deeply ashamed and full of remorse and regret.
“It was a Wednesday evening and he went to the pub to have a drink with friends. He intended to leave his vehicle at the pub and pick it up in the morning, but upon leaving he tells me he felt okay to drive.
“While driving home he struck a vehicle, that has caused it to hit other parked vehicles, which have hit others in a concertina effect.
“He was fully insured, his company were made aware of it immediately and they have ensured all the damaged vehicles were repaired fully.
“He seems to have done all he can to right this unfortunate mistake.”
Pilkington’s employers provided magistrates with a character reference and the court heard he has kept his job.
Pilkington, who also holds a class one HGV driving licence, pleaded guilty to one charge of drink-driving. He was banned from driving for 17 months and fined £400 with £125 costs.