by Paul Hooper

A Margate bricklayer drove his car at TWICE the speed limit – SMASHING into three parked cars and terrifying a mum-of-two.

Then James Brownlee, 25, calmly walked away leaving his passenger nursing bruises – and residents angry at the wreckage he had left behind.

Forensic tests later showed he had traces of cocaine and cannabis in his body at the time of the accident in Margate Road, Ramsgate , Canterbury Crown Court heard.

Brownlee, of Albert Road admitted driving dangerously in March 2010 and failing to stop after an accident and was jailed for eight months.

Judge Michael O’Sullivan told him: "This was an appalling piece of driving and the result could have been much worse."

Prosecutor Krystal Whyment told how he had been driving at speeds estimated at between 60 to 70 mph in the 30 mph limit.

"He overtook two cars, went round a traffic island the wrong way, clipping it and losing control.

"His Silver VW Golf then struck the parked cars – writing two of them off, before hitting a wall."

A mother of two – who saw the accident – feared for her life as Brownlee’s car came towards her before the Golf hit the island and smashed into the parked cars.

He then walked away – leaving a male passenger suffering bruises in the accident - before calling his mother to help "come and clear up this mess".

A taxi driver who saw the crash stopped him in Woodford Avenue and the brickie claimed he hadn’t been leaving the scene but had panicked and feared the angry residents.

He later failed a roadside breath test but a sample of blood revealed he was within the legal drink-drive limit – although tests revealed traces of illegal drugs in his body, she said.

Adaku Oragwu, defending, said: "He is sorry and full of remorse."

She said he was upset about the level of pay he had received for a job.

Judge O’Sullivan told him: "Two of the vehicles you hit were destroyed and one of them was owned by a lady who had lost her husband and it had a sentimental attachment for her.

"The public need protection from drivers such as you. "

Brownlee was banned from driving for two years and ordered to take an extended driving test.