A sheep farmer who crashed into a railing and then reversed into a planter was not tested for drink driving by police, a court heard. Edward Burton, 40, of Sychnant Pass Road, Conwy, in Penmaenmawr, admitted driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after the crash, and using threatening words or behaviour.
Crash and Arrest
The incident happened on a "tight corner" late on Saturday, September 19, at the junction of Bangor Road and Fernbrook Road in Penmaenmawr, at 11.40pm. 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 he 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." He was arrested for a public order offence and taken into custody, where he became "unresponsive".
Investigation Criticised
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.
Craig Hutchinson, defending, said Burton had been in a relationship with a woman at the time and had received a phone call from her alleging he had been unfaithful. He drove to see her "to prove his loyalty" and to show he was not with anyone else. Mr Hutchinson added: "It's a really tight corner. Clearly he has taken the corner too fast."
Defence and Sentencing
Burton went to her address and spoke to the woman. They had a row, and he took a bottle of brandy. He was then "assaulted by three males". Mr Hutchinson said: "He was trying to get into the pub to confront the males who attacked him." He spent four or five hours in hospital receiving treatment for a head injury.
The following day, police went to his isolated home and asked if he had been driving the Ford Ranger the night before. He said he had. Mr Hutchinson called it a "clumsy police investigation", adding: "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."
Bench chairman Ann Dickinson noted the defendant had collided with a railing and a planter, adding: "We observed multiple reversing manoeuvres." Burton was fined £461 for careless driving, £307 for failing to stop after an accident, and ordered to pay £85 towards costs and a £307 surcharge, totalling £1,160. His licence was endorsed with six penalty points.
