A DRINK-driver who crashed into the back of a taxi and drove away has been spared jail.

Isaac Keown, of Glynne Street in Queensferry, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 25-year-old had previously been convicted of four offences; Drink driving, driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, told the court that at around 4am on March 19, a taxi driver called police reporting he had been taking a passenger home and was at the junction of High Street in Saltney when a vehicle collided with the rear of his at speed.

The vehicle drove off in the direction of Broughton, making no attempt to stop and swap details.

Officers were dispatched after reports of a vehicle with substantial front end damage being sighted in the area of Broughton Shopping Park.

Following a search, the vehicle was located at an address in Broughton.

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The defendant was inside, asleep, and when woken he was "extremely drunk."

Mr Espie said he could barely "string a sentence together" and when tested had 97 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 35.

In mitigation, the court heard the defendant recognised his problem was binge drinking, which causes him to cease to be a responsible individual.

The court heard his "saving grace" was that nobody was injured during his offending.

A number of references were also presented to the court which, it was said, painted a picture of a completely different person from the one on the day of the offence.

District Judge Paul Conlon told the defendant: "When I initially saw the offences you have admitted, my thought was immediate custody."

Despite that, the Judge said a positive report from the Probation Service and the fact he was of generally previous good character meant he could draw back.

Keown was handed a 12 month community order with a requirement that he attend any appointments probation officers request and that he attend up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity.

He was banned from driving for 40 months and ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

The defendant must also abstain from alcohol consumption for 120 days.

 

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