A RECKLESS motorist caused three collisions on his way home after driving off in a friend’s car without consent from an impromptu drinks party.

Ian Brinkworth, 35, drove off in his friend’s Citroen C3 after going to a party in Gloucester on Friday, April 9 last year.

He was then involved in two separate collisions and a crash along the A38, Gloucester Crown Court heard on Friday, August 5.

Driver admitted dangerous driving

Brinkworth of Hinton Court, Newton, Sharpness, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, having no driving licence and failing to stop after an accident.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a quantity of cannabis

Where did the crashes happen?

Prosecutor Ieuan Callaghan said: “During the course of the journey Brinkworth was involved in two collisions with other vehicles in quick succession.

“The first was just off the A38 on Church Lane in Saul when he collided with a vehicle causing light scratches.

“Then a witness watched a second collision when Brinkworth turned onto the A38 at speed and collided with a vehicle by cutting in front of the driver on the wrong side of the road and hitting the passenger side of the vehicle.

“The impact was such that both vehicles swerved into the middle of the road, some 100 metres from the original collision.

“The airbags went off in the other vehicle, trapping a passenger in the front seat."

Victim's car written off

The vehicle was written off by the insurance company.

“Rather than stopping, Brinkworth drove off in the damaged Citroen," said Mr Callaghan.

“It was later found abandoned after crashing onto a roundabout about a mile away in Whitminster."

What did the defence say?

Joe Maloney, defending, said: “At the time of Brinkworth was concerned that his partner would be jailed for being concerned with the supply of drugs.

“The incident has left him with his own health problems as he has now got nerve damage at the base of his spine which prohibits mobility.”

The judge, Recorder Richard Mawhinney told Brinkworth: “This was a prolonged piece of bad driving that involved three incidents."

Brinkworth was sentenced to a prison term of eight months, suspended for a year. He was also banned from driving for two years and fined £200.

A four month nighttime curfew was imposed and he must also pay a £156 victim surcharge.