A cocaine-fuelled motor menace injured a woman when he ploughed into her car while undertaking at speed.
Liam Holmes, who has a previous conviction for driving while under the influence of drugs, proved he'd failed to learn his lesson when he once again got behind the wheel while high on an illicit substance. A court heard that the 26-year-old was seen to travel at speed in his Hyundai i20 before undertaking in a cycle lane and smashing into another vehicle.
Holmes then ploughed into a further several parked cars before fleeing the scene on foot. The female driver of the first car, a Fiat 500, was left with a cut to her right eye, which needed stitches, as well as swelling to her face and body.
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Dad-of-one Holmes, of Aldwych Road, in Sunderland, was detained a short while later and found to be over the limit for cocaine and BZE, a breakdown product of cocaine. He's now been given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and a two-year driving ban after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and two counts of drug driving.
Sentencing him, Judge Stephen Earl said: "Today, I passed a custodial sentence, I just decided not to activate it immediately, do you understand? If, during the next 18 months, you commit further offences or don't comply with requirements, then you and I will meet again because I will reserve any breaches to me."
Newcastle Crown Court was told that Holmes was spotted in his Hyundai on Leechmore Road, in Sunderland, on November 19 last year. Katie Spence, prosecuting, continued: "He was travelling at high speed. He attempted to undertake a vehicle on the nearside, which was a narrow cycle lane, and caused a collision between his vehicle and that vehicle. He then collided with several parked cars at the traffic light system."
The court heard Holmes tried to flee on foot but was detained nearby. He later tested positive for cocaine and BZE, being twice over the limit for the former and three times over for the latter. He made no comment in interview.
Robin Turton, defending, said Holmes was a hard-working dad who had committed the offences out of "sheer stupidity". He added: "He's pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and has expressed genuine remorse in the pre-sentence report."
As well as the suspended sentence and driving ban, Holmes was also ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work.
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