Drink driver from Hartlepool hit motorcyclist on Sunderland road before driving off

Brad Blakelock, 23, of Slake Terrace, Hartlepool, hit the 17-year-old on Greenwood Road, Grindon, at around 10.30pm on Friday, May 31.

He then drove his 2013-plate Vauxhall Corsa another 140 yards and went into a house, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

A witness saw Blakelock leave the scene and police traced him within 30 minutes of the offence – and breath tested him.

It revealed he had had 47 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Prosecutor Clare Irving said the cyclist was approaching Gillingham Road, adding: “He saw a car coming towards him with no lights on.

“When he reached the junction, it turned right into the road and it collided with the motorcyclist.

“A PC turns up and finds it parked with damage. The defendant was inside the address and under the influence. He was cautioned and a Camic procedure was carried out.”

The court heard the biker suffered minor injuries and had to take two weeks off work to recover.

Magistrates were also told Blakelock, who claimed the bike did not have lights on and that the accident was not his fault, had consumed two-and-a-half pints.

Geoffrey Forrester, defending, said: “He turned into a junction and he didn’t see a bike. He didn’t see the bike and he panicked.

“He drove along a straight road. The distance that he covered was approximately 140 yards.

“The failing to stop is not motivated by wanting to escape the consequences. There’s no doubt that his reaction to driving away was panic.

“He hasn’t avoided the drink-driving. He fully accepts it’s his fault for not stopping and having a little bit too much to drink.”

Blakelock, who admitted drink-driving, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident, was disqualified from driving for 13 months for all offences.

He must also complete 15 days’ rehabilitation work with the Probation Service and pay a £500 fine and a £90 victim surcharge.