A drunk Devon man caused life changing injuries to an off-duty police officer whose car he collided with.
Robert Shapland-Hill, 52, of Hillside Drive, Okehampton, admitted charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving a motor vehicle when the amount of alcohol in his blood exceeded the prescribed limit when he appeared at Weymouth Magistrates' Court last week.
Causing serious injury by dangerous driving is an offence under section 1A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (as amended). It has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 5 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment.
Driving with excess alcohol is an offence contrary to section 5(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.
The court heard that Shapland-Hill was driving a blue Mercedes Sprinter van along the A37 on the late evening of Tuesday, 3rd March 2020, when he drunkenly drove into oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road.
He ploughed head on into the red Ford Focus of Mark Bonnici, an off-duty Avon and Somerset Police officer, who was driving home after work.
Siobhan Oxley, prosecuting, told the court: "He was drifting on the wrong side of the road. One motorist had to slow down.
"As he realised he was going to hit him, he swerved to avoid. A vehicle hit Mr Shapland-Hill and spun 180 degrees and ended on the grass verge.
"Despite the impact of the collision, the defendant continues to drive.
"Mr Bonici can see the defendant's vehicle but is unable to work out if he had a defective headlight or was a motorcycle and seconds later, he is aware the defendant is pretty much in front of him and collides head on with the vehicle.
"The victim in the first collision states that Mr Bonici was unable to get out of the car and a member of the public assisted him at the scene.
"The defendant is seen by paramedics and he admits he had consumed alcohol and admitted to being driver of the Mercedes van."
Shapland-Hill was taken to Dorset County Hospital for treatment. A specimen was taken which confirmed he had 204 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, the prescribed limit being 85 milligrams.
He was arrested and co-operated with police investigating the collision.
Mr Bonici, an officer of 15 years standing, sustained life changing leg and back injuries, which required extensive medical treatment and physiotherapy. He still suffers constant pain and his mental health has been affected.
In a victim impact statement, he said: "I panicked and struggled to think why I was in this position. I was going home after my first shift at my new job. I was positive about my future. I feel this has been taken away from me.
"My car was my prize and joy. I shuttered to thought how I was alive or going to recover.
"I was shocked to see my car and I was deeply mortified and frightened of what was ahead of me."
Given the seriousness of the offence, Magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to the Crown Court for sentencing.
Shapland-Hill was granted unconditional bail until his next hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, 8th January 2020.
He was made subject to an interim driving disqualification, which means he must not drive a motor vehicle on any road or public place.
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