Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Conor Gogarty

A dad drove a BMW into lamppost and blamed his partner

A dad drunkenly crashed his BMW and pretended his partner had been driving.

Richard Elliot, from Cardiff, had 106mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood when he drove his car into a lamppost on Port Road, Rhoose. The legal limit is 80mg.

The 37-year-old, of Rogerstone Close in Trowbridge, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Read next: Man who downed lager before driving thinks 'spiteful' neighbour told police

Prosecutor Mike Curry said police were called to the Port Road crash scene on December 9 last year. When they arrived they saw a BMW had been driven into a post.

Mr Curry told the court: "The defendant was present. He initially claimed his partner had been driving and left the scene but he later admitted he had been driving."

Elliot was taken to the University Hospital of Wales where doctors checked he was fit to be detained and took a blood sample which showed he was over the limit. He was cooperative with police apart from the lie about his partner, said Mr Curry.

Richard Elliot leaves Cardiff Magistrates' Court (Conor Gogarty)

Representing himself, Elliot said: "I'm fully apologetic for what I've done. I take full responsibility. I'm a hard worker. I work full-time from 5am until 6pm." He said one of the key reasons he needed his driving licence was to be able to pick up his daughter.

Presiding Justice Nick Rees suggested Elliot could make an exceptional hardship application but the court clerk interjected: "That wouldn't apply in this case sir. This is a mandatory ban."

Mr Rees banned Elliot from driving for 13 months, which can be cut by a quarter if he completes a drink drivers' rehab course.

The defendant, who earns £350 to £500 a week, must pay a £425 fine, prosecution costs of £85 and a £43 victim services surcharge.

Passing sentence, Mr Rees told Elliot: "You were substantially over the limit and you then had an accident in the process."

Want the latest Welsh news sent straight to you? Look no further.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.