A young driver who flipped a car onto its roof before fleeing the scene has been banned from the roads.
Elijah Gassmann, 21, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, without insurance and otherwise in accordance with his licence at Swindon Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning (4 September).
Wiltshire Police prosecutor Mike Smith said the defendant, of Windrush, Highworth, overturned a Toyota Celica on the B4000 at around 7pm on 20 September last year.
Eyewitnesses to the collision in Sevenhampton saw a suspect, matching Gassmann’s description, running from the scene after telling them “don’t call the police or ambulance”.
Officers conducted a search of the local area and found him approximately three-quarters of a mile from the scene of the crash.
In custody, Gassmann admitted he’d flipped his car and fled the scene.
Addressing the court, he said: “It was stupid, immature and childish of me. I was struggling with mental issues but I’ve come a long way since this.
“I was struggling with the loss of my nan, I kept drinking and drinking and drinking, but since then I’ve stopped. I’ve stopped my alcohol intake and I’m going to university later this month to study business and marketing.”
Magistrates imposed 14 points, resulting in an immediate driving disqualification of six months. He must also pay a £200 fine, £110 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
