Trussed up by villagers, drug driver who left 16th century cottage looking like THIS
A POLICEMAN stands over a trussed-up motorist – who was captured by villagers after he crashed his speeding van into this 16th century thatched cottage while high on cocaine.
Jamie Gilroy, 35, had tried to run from the wrecked listed £500,000 building, but the have-a-go heroes caught him, tied him up with string, and kept him on the ground until officers arrived. Now he is behind bars after being jailed for 14 months. He was also banned from driving for five years.
Luton Crown Court heard the smash took place just before 11pm when Steven and Val Fossey were in the sitting room of Willow End cottage, in Maulden, Bedfordshire.
Mrs Fossey, 67, said: ‘I was about to go up to bed, but my husband said to watch the end of the news. There was a dreadful noise – like an earthquake. This van came flying over a hedge and crashed into our hall and kitchen. If I had left the room I don’t know what would have happened.’
She went on: ‘The driver got out of the van without a scratch. He was still in his work clothes. He tried to get away, but our neighbours held him until the police arrived.’
Financial director Mr Fossey, 66, had been living in the picturesque home for 14 years when the couple had their lucky escape in October, the court heard. Prosecutor Neil King said the repairs cost £20,000.
The couple had to pay their insurers £350 excess, and were forced to move out while the work was done but have since returned home.
One neighbour who saw the van stuck in the side of the cottage at the time said: ‘It looks like a piece of modern art.’ Another said Gilroy was ‘staggering about and I asked him to stay where he was while we phoned the police’ before other villagers helped him tie up the offender.
Jailing him, Judge Barbara Mensah said: ‘Your case is at the top end of the scale of dangerous driving.’
‘It was like an earthquake’