A dad of six fled after twice crashing his car in Southville.
Lee Sanders ploughed his Vauxhall Corsa into a Ford Ka and Ford B-Max, mounted a kerb, then caused another collision by leaving his handbrake off.
The 44-year-old, of Chadleigh Grove in Knowle, received a three-month driving ban after pleading guilty to failing to report an accident and driving without due care or attention.
Bristol Magistrates’ Court heard Sanders financially supports three families – but could lose his painting and decorating job due to the ban.
Prosecutor Caitlin Brown said Southville residents heard a loud crash at around 10.15pm on August 5.
“They saw a white Vauxhall Corsa at an angle to the road outside an address on Langton Park,” she added.
“The vehicle was moving backwards and forwards between a Ford Ka and B-Max. It appeared the driver wasn’t in control.”
Sanders then accelerated his Corsa down the street and mounted a kerb.
Ms Brown said: “He got out of the car. The handbrake wasn’t on, and it rolled back and hit the Ford Ka.
“A witness described the defendant as appearing unsteady on his feet. They formed the opinion he was under the influence.”
Sanders abandoned his car in the middle of the street and fled on foot towards North Street.
Police arrived 10 minutes later and matched the Corsa’s licence plate to the defendant, whose home they attended the following day to arrest him. He gave a no comment during an interview at the police station.
Sanders’ representative, Ms Stetson, said: “He was out of trouble for some six years before this incident.
“His relationship of five years then unexpectedly broke down, which caused him an extreme amount of distress.
“He does say he absolutely panicked in this incident. He makes no excuse for it but he was entirely distraught.”
A painter and decorator for 25 years, Sanders’ work requires him to drive to jobs, Ms Stetson added.
She said he has six children with three mothers, all of whom are financially dependent on him. He also has a colleague whose work depends on Sanders’ ability to drive.
“The impact will be felt across the board,” she told the court.
Sanders takes home around £800 a week and pays £150 a month to support each of his children, the court heard.
District Judge Joanna Dickens did ban him from driving. She pointed out there was “some suggestion” he had been drinking before getting behind the wheel, though he was not arrested until it was too late for a breath test.
The judge added: “It was quite a distressing thing for others to experience. They had to chase you, which was probably a bit frightening for them. You put other road users at risk.”
Imposing a three-month ban, she said: “The disqualification will be shorter than usual because a lot of people are dependent on you.
“I’m not fully convinced you would lose your job, but I appreciate a ban makes things very difficult for you.
“The ban includes those electric scooters that drive everyone in Bristol mad.”
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A 12-month trial has made hop-on hop-off electric scooters available for hire in Bristol since last October.
Judge Dickens informed Sanders he is permitted to ride an electric bike.
He must pay a £600 fine, £60 victim surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
