Drink driver in ‘dreadful state’ smashed into bus before fleeing scene
A drink driver smashed into a bus and car before fleeing the scene and being found in a “dreadful state” after falling out of his van.
Paul Tullin didn’t even have a driving licence when he crashed his Mercedes van into a car and a bus on Osbourne Road in Jesmond[1] on May 22. The 64-year-old then drove away from the scene, but when he got home, his neighbours saw him fall out of his van.
When police arrived, Tullin – who had also wet himself – was still sitting outside and he was arrested. He appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court[2] this week to be sentenced for drink-driving, and driving without a licence. He had been found guilty of the drink-driving charge, but pleaded guilty to the others.
Jennifer McKelvin, prosecuting, said: “A bus driver noticed they had been shunted. A van had crashed into a Volvo and the bus. The defendant then went home and was seen falling out of his van. Police went to [his home] and he was still sitting outside.”
Tullin, of Dunholme Road, Elswick[3], was breath tested and gave a reading of 105 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The court heard he had 11 previous convictions for 26 offences, many of which were driving-related.
Kate Matthews, defending, said Tullin does not accept being found guilty of the driving with excess alcohol charge but had been “open and honest” in other respects. She said Tullin is “going to struggle carrying on his business” and has health issues and is living off his savings.
Ms Matthews added that Tullin was using the van for work at the time of the accident. The court heard that following a bereavement, Tullin had “sought solace in alcohol”.
Sentencing Tullin, District Judge Paul Currer said: “You were driving well over the limit when you crashed into a bus and car. You failed to stop at the scene and drove off. You were found outside your home address and [were seen] falling out of the driver seat. You had urinated yourself and were in a dreadful state.”
Tullin was given a 12 month community order and ordered to carry out 30 rehabilitation days. He was banned from driving for 28 months and fined £200. He must also pay £620 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
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References
- ^ Jesmond (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Newcastle Magistrates’ Court (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Elswick (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
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