Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Garage obliterated by dad on drunken drive through city
Motorist, 34, was being pursued by police
A dad-of-two drunkenly sped at 50mph along residential streets before ploughing into a garage and knocking it to the ground.
David Gray, 34, was being pursued by police on blue lights when he careered off the road and smashed through the building in Teddington Close, Canterbury.
As he got out of the wreckage and attempted to flee, the brick garage collapsed behind him.
Open beer cans were found strewn inside his battered Vauxhall.
Gray was arrested and appeared before Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday, where he narrowly avoided being sent to prison.
Prosecutor Sarah O’kane told the court: “A vehicle was seen late in the evening approaching a roundabout in Northgate at speed, and as officers on duty became concerned about the nature of the driving, they followed the vehicle.”
Gray was seen accelerating to 40mph in a 30mph road, crossed another roundabout, then reached 50mph in another residential street.
“Police illuminated their lights after seeing the defendant veering into a bus lane,” Ms O’kane continued.
“The defendant crashed into the garage and destroyed it.
“He tried to make off but he didn’t get very far and was apprehended - the garage collapsed completely.”
As residents gathered, officers discovered open beer cans inside the car and Gray carrying a small amount of cannabis.
But he refused to provide a sample of breath and blood when police attempted to test him for drugs and alcohol.
Tools totalling £1,500 housed inside the building, which belonged to Terrence Gosling, were destroyed.
Gray pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen, criminal damage, driving without insurance, and cannabis possession at the first opportunity, the court heard.
Mitigating, Phil Rowley said Gray was “shame-faced” over his actions in June last year, which followed a row with his partner.
He explained that Gray, whose child was recently taken unwell, developed an alcohol problem following a traumatic childhood.
“He had had a disagreement with his partner, they rowed, he accepts he was in drink and foolishly got into the vehicle and drove in the manner observed by officers,” Mr Rowley said.
Self-employed Gray works renovating homes where the occupants are deceased and, earning £24,000 a year, is the sole breadwinner for his family, the court heard.
Handing down a 10-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, the judge, recorder Duncan Atkinson QC, said the fact nobody was injured was “through luck.”
“There were beer cans with you and so the police sought to take a sample, for which you refused,” he told Gray.
“Driving in a way that potentially risks dangers to others is a serious matter.
“It is a significant aggravating feature that your driving did result in damage - the damage caused to the garage and to Mr Gosling.
“The police activated lights but you did not stop - it was through luck no one else was affected by what you did.”
Gray, of March Grove, Canterbury, was ordered to compensate Mr Gosling £1,500 at £200 a month, complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was also banned from driving for three years.
‘The police activated lights but you did not stop - it was through luck no one else was affected by what you did...’