Sunderland Echo

Drink-driver crashed pal’s BMW into taxi and shop

- Gareth Crickmer echo.news@jpimedia.co.uk @sunderland­echo

A Sunderland man who got peckish after a night of drinking could face jail after taking a friend’s high-powered BMW and ploughing head-on into a taxi before careering into a shop.

George Blair, 23, will be sentenced at crown court laterthis month after he pleaded guilty to four charges in relation to the 6am horror smash on Sunday, October 27.

A court heard Blair, of Dell field Drive, Penny well, also had neither a driving licence nor insurance when he lost control of the 69-plate blue BMW 420 on the A690 Durham Road.

Blair, who was almost twice the drink-drive limit, slammed into an oncoming Dacia driven by Al alHud a–before hitting metal railings and ramming into the Max’s shop.

South Tyneside Magistrate­s’ Court was told MrHudasuff­ered leg breaks in three places and the store serious damage.

The court heard the accident happened because Blair became hungry after an evening out and took the vehicle of work colleague Liam Morrison, who had put him up for the night.

When Mr Morrison went to bed, Blair, who was staying downstairs, decided to go in search of a bite.

Prosecutor Paul Anderson said Blair was traveling south when he lost control, hitting the taxi head-on.

When questioned by police, Mr Anderson revealed Blair told them he took the car because he was “going to purchase some food”.

Paul McAlindon, defending, said: “It is accepted that this is a serious offence, all borne out of a stupid decision.The car belongs to a work colleague. Mr Blair is downstairs and not ready for bed and makes the decision that he wanted food. He jumps in the car.

“Unfortunat­ely for Mr Blair and the other people involved, he collides with another vehicle and then with a store.”

Factory worker Blair pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated vehicle taking, drink driving, driving other than in accordance with a licence, and having no insurance.

The court heard a breath test revealed he had 66 microgramm­es of alcohol in 100 millilitre­s of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Magistrate­s committed Blair to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, December 18.

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