Anxiety and depression ’caused a drug driver to flee the police’ in Swindon, a court heard.
Dean Griffin, 25, pleaded guilty to driving whilst over the limit for benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine), failing to stop for police and careless driving.
Prosecutor Pauline Lambert told Swindon Magistrates’ Court that a traffic officer in a marked BMW spotted a Suzuki Swift cross Cricklade Road from Penhill to Queensfield at 9.30pm on 26 May.
The officer illuminated his car’s blue lights and drove slowly towards the Suzuki on the wrong side of the road, indicating for it to stop. Griffin then reversed the Suzuki at speed to avoid being blocked.
He proceeded to J-turn in the road and failed to complete the turn – mounting the curb and moving around the police car. The driver then drove away at high speed.
The officer turned his car around and attempted to pursue. However, the vehicle was quickly found abandoned on a T-junction – with Griffin spotted decamping and running through a hedge into Penhill.
The Suzuki was searched after it emitted a stench of cannabis. There was also significant damage to the nearside wheel, caused by the earlier turn in the road.
Whilst at the scene, the police officer was told that the vehicle had been reported stolen. On attending the address of the suspected theft, Griffin was located and failed a roadside drug wipe.
In custody, he provided a sample of blood which returned a reading of 68 micrograms benzoylecgonine (BZE) per litre. The legal limit is 50 micrograms.
The court heard that the defendant, of Thetford Way, Swindon, was of good character.
Liz Highams, defending, said her client had not stolen the car – it belonged to his brother. She said the smell of cannabis in the car was due to his friend smoking, not him.
She said Griffin accepts it was a serious offence, and whilst there was no damage to other vehicles, there has been a collision.
Ms Highams added that he suffers from anxiety and depression, which “caused him to drive off from the police when the blue lights were illuminated”. She said he has been taking steps to resolve his mental health issues.
She said he’s like to lose his job as a result of his disqualification because he needs to be able to drive.
Magistrates imposed fines totalling £780 and a 12-month driving ban. He must also pay a £77 surcharge and prosecution costs of £85.
