A cleaner drove from Swansea to Cardiff after taking crack cocaine. Lee Bowden swerved across the M4 and when police tried to pull him over he carried on for some time, a court heard.
The 44-year-old was seen driving a silver Seat Altea erratically on January 31 between junctions 33 and 32 of the motorway. Prosecutor Simone Walsh told Cardiff Magistrates' Court: "Police received a report from a member of the public who was behind a vehicle which was moving all over the road, slowing down and speeding up.
"He stated he believed the driver was under the influence. Officers located the defendant prior to junction 30 and illuminated their blue lights but the vehicle continued. The driver did not react to either patrol vehicle. PC Mann did not believe he would stop so flashed his headlights but the defendant exited at junction 30 and continued to drive. PC Mann pulled alongside the vehicle and turned his siren on, indicating to stop. Eventually the defendant stopped and the officers put a patrol vehicle in front to prevent him making off. It was clear to both officers that he was under the influence of drink or drugs. His speech was slurred, his eyes glazed, and he appeared drowsy."
Read next: Dog breeder pretended to be his brother when police pulled him over
Bowden had a wrap containing 0.6g of crack cocaine in his chest pocket. The prosecutor said he became "obstructive" at Cardiff Bay police station and officers were unable to find a suitable vein for a blood sample so they took a sample of urine which tested positive for the Class A drug.
Wearing a Luke Sport designer jacket Bowden, of Hanover Street in Swansea, appeared in court on Thursday and admitted possession of crack and driving without a licence or insurance while unfit through drugs. He already had 15 drug offences and 12 driving offences on his record.
Lydia Williams, mitigating, said there was "no evidence of high levels of impairment" such as causing an accident. She added: "He was reliant on heroin for some 20 years. His most recent conviction was in 2019 for involvement in Class A county lines dealing."
The solicitor said her client has post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder but has been in "steady" accommodation for 16 months and had been free from drugs for some time before the M4 offences. He has been taking an opioid substitute and got a job as a cleaner with an addiction outreach project as well as volunteering there.
"He has been preparing food and drink, helping people in crisis — it is very much a reminder of how far he has come since he was in [the service users'] position," said Ms Williams. "He has also been back in touch with his father, who is disabled, and providing support to him."
She added that Bowden believed he had turned his life around but last Christmas several people he knew through the outreach project died from drug overdoses. The bereavements led to him taking drugs again and committing the offences but "a night in the cells and a disciplinary in work led to a very sharp wakeup call for Mr Bowden", said his solicitor.
Bowden had been having difficulties with his car and was "driving at a low speed to clear some kind of blockage" on the night of the offences, a probation officer told the court. She said: "He is classed as a high risk of reoffending based on his long history of drug misuse and offending but it is important to note he has shown capability of making positive changes."
Passing sentence presiding justice Nigel Buckland said: "You drove some considerable length under the influence of drugs and took no notice of the blue lights... This could have ended in far more tragic circumstances."
The magistrates imposed a three-year driving ban and a fine of £240, victim services surcharge of £95, and prosecution costs of £85. He must complete 20 days of rehab activity. You can read more court stories here.
READ NEXT:
-
Man turns up at airport without passport and attacks vending machines
- 'Tragic' mum went from model student to crack addict who threatened Boots staff with knife
-
The Welsh beach plagued by 'defecation, drugs and verbal abuse'
- Paedophile waited for young boy in bowling alley toilet and attacked him
Find out about crime levels where you live:
