Crash soldier drove at twice the legal limit

A SERVING solider in the Parachute Regiment of the British Army collided with motorway crash barriers while driving at almost three times the legal drinkdrive limit.

Darren Paul Sample was breathalysed after police were scrambled to the one-vehicle collision on December 16 at the slipway leading to the A4138 from junction 48 of the M4 in Hendy, Llanelli.

Sample, who is based with his regiment at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, gave his home address as Willmer Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside, when he appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Prosecutor Abul Hussein said: “Police were called to a report of a vehicle that had crashed into the barriers on the M4 sliproad in Hendy, Llanelli.”

“An Audi A3 was involved and the person next to the car was iden- tifed as the defendant, who told police he had been driving at the time.”

Sample was given a roadside breathalyser test which found he had 94 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35. Defence solicitor Richard Morgan said Sample was remorseful for the incident, adding: “This was completely out of character for him and he expresses remorse for what happened.

“He has been in the armed forces for eight years and served in Afghanistan with the Parachute Regiment.

“He was under stress at the time of the accident while on break for the Christmas period and stressed at the prospect of becoming a father for the first time.”

Mr Morgan added: “He was out of order driving while under the influence of alcohol.”

District judge Christopher James was handed a character reference on behalf of Sample during the hearing.

Turning to Sample in the dock, Judge James said in sentencing him: “Your case is aggravated by the high reading of alcohol and the fact there was a road traffic accident.

“This was at Hendy, on a sliproad for one of the main arterial routes in south Wales.

“Driving while under the influence of alcohol poses risks not only to yourself but other road users.

“This was brought home to you quite clearly as you had a road traffic collision on the M4 sliproad.

“I take into account the character reference and the fact you are a serving soldier in the Parachute Regiment with a promising career.

“However, you will suffer significantly as result of this offence and only have yourself to blame.”

Sample was banned from driving for 23 months and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work as part of 12-month community order.

He was also told to pay £85 court costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Find out more online at... walesonline.co.uk/ llanelli