Ex-soldier’s driving ban after drunken motorway smash

Darren Holland (31) was driving along the M65 near Brierfield with no lights when he cut up a Toyota Estima, Burnley Magistrates’ Court heard.

The defendant, of Coal Clough Lane, then ploughed his Renault Clio into the crash barriers before fleeing the scene of the accident.

Police caught up with Holland nearby and he had suffered a broken jaw in the crash and was missing teeth, the court was told.

He was found to have 193mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood when he was tested by police.

The defendant entered an early guilty plea to driving a vehicle when the alcohol level was above the legal limit, failing to stop after an accident and driving without due care.

Sentencing, magistrates said: “You were involved in an accident. There was evidence of unacceptable standards of driving. You did leave the scene of the accident. We felt it was reckless.

“There was damage to the cars and injuries to yourself and possible injuries to the other driver.”

He was hit with a 22-month driving ban and ordered to complete a four-week curfew which will run from 9pm to 6am seven days a week.

He was ordered to pay costs and fines totalling £145 and was offered a drink driving rehabilitation course.

He was told by magistrates he would not be able to attend an Army reunion with his comrades and must adhere to the electronically-monitored curfew.