Drink driver caught '˜bang to rights' after fleeing South Shields crash scene

A boozy motorist has been told he '˜should never have been on the road' after causing a smash while more than double the drink-drive limit.
David Bartlett tried to flee the crash scene at White Mare Pool.David Bartlett tried to flee the crash scene at White Mare Pool.
David Bartlett tried to flee the crash scene at White Mare Pool.

David Bartlett crashed into car which was waiting at traffic lights at White Mare Pool roundabout, in South Tyneside before attempting to flee the scene.

But the 58-year-old was swiftly tracked down by cops and was arrested after recording a positive roadside breath test.

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Magistrates heard Bartlett had been drinking with a friend the night before but had topped up his alcohol intake before getting behind the wheel on the morning of Saturday, June 18.

Bartlett admitted driving with excess alcohol, driving otherwise than in accordance with the licence and driving without insurance at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard Bartlett’s full driving licence had been revoked, meaning his insurance did not cover him driving unaccompanied.

He recorded a reading of 82mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

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Paul Anderson, prosecuting, said: “He said he had panicked and ran away. He said he was caught bang to rights and that he had been drinking.

David Forrester, defending, said: “He is out of work and the stress resulted in him drinking more than he should have.”

John Lee, chair of the magistrates, said: “You should never have been on the road. You were two-and-a-half times over the legal limit.”

Bartlett, of Colebrook Road, East Sussex, was banned from driving for 22 months, fined £120 and must pay costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge.