A clumsy police investigation was blamed after officers failed to test a man for drink driving following a crash in which he hit a railing, reversed into a planter, kicked a hotel door and got into a fight.
Edward Burton crashed on a tight corner late on Saturday, September 19. Police received a call about 25 minutes later about men fighting and Burton kicking the front door of a pub.
Officers found Burton and suspected he had been over the limit at the time of the crash. But Burton refused to give his details. He started walking off but then turned around and began swearing at officers.
Burton told them: "You can f*** off. You think I'm talking to you after you've taken my car."
Arrest and Custody
Burton was arrested for a public order offence. He was taken into custody but became "unresponsive".
Huw Evans, prosecuting at Llandudno Magistrates Court, said it was "puzzling" why police had not pursued an investigation for alleged drink driving.
Mr Evans said: "The officers should have tested him for drugs or alcohol but for some bizarre reason they chose not to." No drugs or alcohol charge was ever brought against Burton.
Defence and Background
Craig Hutchinson, defending, said Burton, who is a sheep farmer, had been in a relationship with a woman at the time. He had got a phone call from her alleging he had been unfaithful.
So he drove to see her "to prove his loyalty" and to show he was not with anyone else, said Mr Hutchinson.
He added: "It's a really tight corner. Clearly he has taken the corner too fast." He said Burton went to her address and spoke to the woman.
They had a row and he took a bottle of brandy. But then he was "assaulted by three males".
Mr Hutchinson said: "He was trying to get into the pub to confront the males who attacked him." He also spent four or five hours in hospital getting treatment for a head injury, the court heard.
Investigation and Sentencing
The following day police went to his isolated home. They asked him if he had been driving the Ford Ranger the night before. He said he had.
"It may well be the defendant is fortunate with the way the matter has been investigated but you can't hold that investigation against him," said Mr Hutchinson. He called it a "clumsy police investigation".
Burton, of Sychnant Pass Road, Conwy, in Penmaenmawr, admitted driving without due care and attention in the incident in Penmaenmawr. He also admitted failing to stop after the crash on the junction of Bangor Road and Fernbrook Road at 11.40pm and using threatening words or behaviour.
Bench chairman Ann Dickinson said the defendant had collided with a railing and a planter, adding: "We observed multiple reversing manoeuvres".
Burton was fined £461 for the careless driving offence, £307 for failing to stop after an accident and has to pay £85 towards costs and a £307 surcharge, making a total of £1,160 to pay.
His licence was also endorsed with six penalty points.
