Ban for drink drive construction worker who attempted to flee police after crashing boss’ Mercedes into parked vehicles after night out in Spalding

A drink-driver attempted to flee police after crashing his boss’ Mercedes into parked vehicles following a pre-Christmas night out.

However, ‘distressed’ construction worker Karanbir Singh was caught after a member of the public pointed him out to officers.

The 31-year-old was banned from the roads and ordered to pay up more than £300 when he faced justice in court on Wednesday (July 2).

Prosecutor Shelley Wilson told how the Mercedes collided with a parked Audi and Blue Skoda, shunting the second vehicle into a nearby Toyota Hilux, along Spalding’s Commercial Road at 2.17am on December 22 last year.

“A witness heard the collision and went out to see what happened,” Ms Wilson explained to Boston magistrates.

“She saw the defendant sitting in the driver side of the silver Mercedes looking distressed.

“The first thing he said was ‘don’t call the police’. The witness did call the police.”

The court was told Singh sat on a nearby wall before a car ‘containing two Asian males’ and a taxi transporting ‘three other males’ arrived at the scene.

“These men went over to the defendant, who was heard to say the words ‘sorry boss’,” Ms Wilson continued.

“Police arrived and the three men got back in the taxi which left. The Asian males walked away.

“At that point he (Singh) tried to run away from the scene, but the witness pointed him out to police.”

After being checked over at hospital, Singh, of Nineveh Avenue, Birmingham, gave a reading of 52 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Appearing alongside his solicitor via videolink, he pleaded guilty to charges of drink driving, failing to stop after a road accident and using a vehicle without third party insurance via a Punjabi interpreter.

Ms Wilson read out a statement from Singh’s boss, Gary Maxwell, the owner of the Mercedes.

It said they were working in the Spalding area at the time and, after a night out, he had handed Singh his car keys ‘so he wasn’t tempted to drive home after drinking’.

“He said he expected Mr Singh to bring the car keys to him the next day.”

Defending Singh, his solicitor said his client was ‘deeply remorseful’ for what he had done, and that a driving ban would have a knock on effect for many family members.

“On that particular evening Mr Singh had been at a party in a public house with other employees and his boss,” he continued.

“It was while in the pub his friend consumed a fair amount of alcohol. Mr Singh accepts he had been drinking that evening but not drink that much.

“It was Mr Maxwell who asked Mr Singh to drive his car to his apartment with the intention of Mr Maxwell picking it up the following day.

“The vehicle was automatic in nature and Mr Singh was used to driving manual cars.

“He described driving off a roundabout when the vehicle hit some surface water, resulting in the car skidding and colliding with motor vehicles.”

The defence added that Mr Singh thought his personal insurance would cover him to drive his boss’ car, which was not the case.

The solicitor added that a driving ban would have a ‘very big impact’ on the family of Singh, a married father and the sole breadwinner, who also supports his mother in India.

Not only would he lose his job as a concrete finisher, he would also be unable to transport a family member to appointments regarding their heart issues, the court was told.

Singh was banned from driving for 16 months, which can be reduced by 16 weeks if he completes a drink driver rehabilitation course.

He was also fined £200 and ordered to pay £35 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

For failing to stop and driving without relevant insurance magistrates Singh have his licence endorsed.