Chef banned after car crashes into wall

Pennine magistrates heard how Richard Owen Saville was caught after he smashed into a wall on Skipton Old Road, Colne, demolishing it and leaving debris scattered in the carriageway.

He claimed he had had to swerve to avoid somebody in the road.

Saville blew 91 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath after the smash on March 12th. The legal limit is 35.

The defendant (38), of Reedley Farm Close, Reedley, admitted driving with excess alcohol in his Renault Sport. Saville was fined £415 with £85 costs and was ordered to pay a £41 victim surcharge. He was banned for two years.

Prosecutor Mrs Alex Mann told the court that at 7-30pm, police came across a vehicle which appeared to have collided with a wall. Its hazard lights were flashing and somebody was in the driver’s seat. Both the wall and the car were extensively damaged.

Saville, who told police he had had to swerve to avoid somebody in the road, said he had had about three lagers.

Mr Jeremy Frain, for Saville, said he had been to the Alma Inn on his day off and started drinking. He had had four lagers and had not eaten all day.

The solicitor continued: “He said he felt fit to drive. He believed there was somebody in the road and the accident occurred when he tried to avoid that person.

“He has a clean driving licence and no previous convictions and loses his good name today. He is going to have to use public transport to get to work.”