Drink-driver, 38, backed truck into vehicle’s operator

A MAN jumped into a tow truck and reversed into its operator as his neighbour’s car was about to be towed away for traffic offences.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Kenneth Howard was four times over the drink-drive limit when he leapt into the driver’s seat, revved the lorry’s engine and knocked over the victim.

Susan Ferrier, defending, said her client had a “moment of madness”.

The court heard the incident occurred just before 5pm on May 22 at Manor Court in Church Village, Pontypridd.

Jeffrey Jones, prosecuting, said the victim worked for Spiteri Recovery Services and had been called by the police to assist with the removal of a Citroen Xsara.

The man was standing behind his lorry, loading the car, when he heard his own lorry’s engine rev and saw it shoot backwards.

Mr Jones said: “His vehicle hit him and he fell backwards – he was lucky not to go under the vehicle.”

The court heard he suffered injuries including bruising to his shoulder and a swollen hand.

Prosecutors said Howard was found in the driver’s seat of the truck and was “clearly very drunk”.

A breath test revealed he had 123 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

He was abusive to officers as he was arrested and police soon discovered he was already disqualified from driving.

Howard, 38, from Fardre Court in Church Village, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, drink driving, assault, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Prosecutors said he had 48 previous convictions, including burglary, assault and dangerous driving.

Ms Ferrier accepted her client’s behaviour was “idiotic”, suggesting he was “egged on” by those around him. She added he had been an alcoholic for the last 20 years.

Recorder Paul Hopkins QC described the defendant’s behaviour as “appalling”.

He told him: “You are a menace and you have been a menace for most of your adult life.”

Howard was jailed for eight months and disqualified from driving. He will have to take an extended driving test before being allowed behind the wheel again.