Onlookers try to stop drunken motorist

ADRUNKEN motorist drove his wrecked car away from a crash while members of the public tried to stop him.

The appalling piece of driving was captured on a mobile phone by neighbours moments after Emilio Gates smashed into a garage.

The 26-year-old got back into his badly damaged Audi and drove away out of the cul-de-sac in Teignmouth.

He ignored efforts by two men who tried to take his keys and reach in to grab the handbrake.

Gates managed to drive home to his mum’s but not before hitting another car and a skip.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen.

Prosecutor Gareth Evans said the incident happened on July 14 in St Luke’s Drive.

David Jeffrey was holding a barbecue at his house with friends when at 9.20pm they heard a loud bang.

When they went to investigate they saw a black Audi had hit Mr Jeffrey’s garage. The driver was stood next to the

Shocked onlookers try and stopEmilio Gates driving away his damaged vehicle vehicle and was ‘clearly unsteady on his feet’.

Gates got back behind the wheel and reversed away from building. Mr Jeffrey and another man tried to stop him getting away. But Gates ignored them and manoeuvred his vehicle away.

Police arrested Gates a short time later at his house.

Police said he was clearly under the influence of something. He was taken into custody but failed to blow a specimen. Police said this was deliberate to avoid a high reading.

Gates, a groundworker, said he was deeply sorry for what he had done. On the day of the incident he had got drunk at a family celebration and taken Valium to cope with his depression.

The defendant, of Higher Coombe Drive, has no relevant previous convictions.

Judge David Evans

said: “You drove that vehicle and in that state you collided with the property, and ignoring warnings, drove off in a way which risked seriously injuring people doing their best to minimise the risk you posed to others.”

Gates was jailed for eight months suspended for 15 months. He was given 140 hours of unpaid work, disqualified from driving for 15 months and told to pay compensation and costs of £550.