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A drink driver shouted “I wasn’t driving” and “Who took my car?” as he lay in the smouldering wreckage of the vehicle he had just crashed into a building.
Medway Magistrates’ Court heard how Dean Lee got behind the wheel of his wife’s Ford Fiesta after celebrating his birthday with a few drinks at his then home in Portland Avenue, Murston, on January 5.
Moments later motorists saw him tearing towards them in Castle Road on the Eurolink Industrial Estate less than half a mile from his house.
Chantelle Pansado pulled over to let him past only to watch in her rear view mirror as his car flipped over and smashed into a building with such force it left a hole. She and witness Emma Howard ran to his aid to see the burly 31-year-old sprawled across the passenger seat, banging his head against the window and protesting his innocence.
When emergency crews turned up the site manager was escorted into the back of an ambulance and after initially falling asleep suddenly stirred when a thermometer was placed in his ear.
Handcuffed and inebriated he became aggressive with PC Hopper to the extent that the ambulance had to pull over on the A2.
Prosecutor Paul Edwards explained how he then lashed out at the officer and unleashed a torrent of abuse and threats, including “I’ll bite your face off” and “I’ll slice your throat you mug”.
He eventually calmed down and was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital where a sample of urine was taken which showed he was more than double the drink drive limit.
The court heard how Lee was “extremely embarrassed” by his behaviour which was likely the result of a combination of the anti-psychotic medication he was on and the alcohol consumed.
He is set to lose his job as a result of the crash.
Lee, now of Buttercup Avenue, Minster, admitted drink driving, assaulting an emergency worker and threatening language.
He was ordered to complete 80 hours of community service and was banned from driving for 20 months. Lee must also pay £1,560, including £150 compensation to PC Hopper.
