'Loud bang' - Hebburn drink-driver who smashed into a parked car had machete, court told
Drink-driver from Hebburn is banned after smashing into a parked car.
A South Tyneside repeat drink driver is facing a minimum three-year ban after crashing into a parked car while drunk at the wheel for a second time in six years.
James Kilpatrick, 31, crashed his silver Ford Fiesta in Black Road, Hebburn, at 6.10am on Saturday, August 8 – then fled on foot, a court heard.
But his antics woke the owner of the motor he struck who called police – and a second witness saw the smash, prosecutor Glenda Beck said.
A police search located Kilpatrick, of Albert Road, Hebburn, who matched the description given and was also in possession of a machete.
He was breath tested which proved he was over twice the legal alcohol level and he was also driving without a licence or a valid MOT certificate.
Black was convicted of drink driving in November 2020, making him subject to a ban of up to 48 months under the two-strikes-in-10-year rule.
Mrs Beck told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “A witness heard a loud bang and on looking outside, saw a male running away from a vehicle.
“The witness states he checked his own vehicle, and it had been pushed about six feet, forcing it to collide with another parked vehicle.
“The matter was reported to the police and CCTV was accessed which showed a vehicle turning into the street.
“Another witness confirms they saw a male running away from the scene, then returning and throwing away a beer can.
“Police attended and checks were made of the area. Mr Kilpatrick was found, and he matched the description given by one of the witnesses.
“The defendant does have a previous excess alcohol matter from November 11, 2020, so that will affect the disqualification period.”
Kilpatrick pleaded guilty to charges of drink driving, driving without insurance, driving without a valid MOT and possession of an offensive weapon in public.
He gave a reading for alcohol in breath of 74mcg. The legal limit is 35mcg.
David Forrester, defending, asked magistrates to adjourn for reports, telling them Kilpatrick had issues at the time of the incident that needed exploring.
Magistrates imposed an interim driving ban on Kilpatrick and granted him unconditional bail to be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, September 16.