17/07/2012

Drunk Motorist Drove Through Lincoln Without Front Wheel

A motorist was captured on CCTV driving through Lincoln City Centre with the front wheel of his car missing.

The footage shows 28-year-old Philip Dickens driving for a mile through the city with sparks coming from his car.

Police stopped him when he got out of his car and began staggering towards the train station, he subsequently failed a breathalyser test and was arrested.

Dickens, who was dressed in pyjamas, had already driven seven miles before losing the wheel and then continuing into the city centre.

At Lincoln Crown Court, he admitted dangerous driving and received a ban.

Prosecutor Andrew Scott said the front wheel was found on the car's front passenger seat. It is thought a member of the public stopped the car and handed the wheel back.

The court was told Dickens could not remember anything about the trip.

Mr Scott said: "He came home, had his dinner and drank a bottle of wine. He went to bed at 23:00 and the next thing he remembers he is being taken by the police to hospital in an ambulance."

He admitted dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol and was given an 18-month driving ban, a 12-month community order with supervision, 180 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £1,000 costs.

(H)


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