Former soldier ran from scene after crashing car into wall while almost three times the limit

Former soldier Jake Keep, 25, of no fixed abode, crashed his black Peugeot 206 into a wall in Houghton Road, Houghton, on Saturday, February 1.

Police had already been alerted to a possible drink-driver when he lost control, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

Keep, previously of Bernard Street, Houghton, left the scene but soon approached police and confessed to being the driver.

The court was told he had lost his latest job as a forklift driver and had been booted out his mother’s home due to the incident – and that it was his second drink-related car crime in five years.

Prosecutor Jeff Taylor said: “Police came across a black Peugeot which had failed to properly negotiate a corner and crashed into a wall. A male had run away.

“The officers are in the area and see Mr Keep who matches the description and walks towards the police vehicle.

“He admits that he’s been the driver of the crashed vehicle and that he will be ‘over the top’. They also find cocaine.

“In interview, he said he panicked and ran away. He made full admissions.”

Mark McAlindon, defending, said: “At the scene, he didn’t try to hide or run away. He in fact handed the police the bag that had the cocaine in it.

“He is ex-Forces, he was deployed to the Falklands. He may be dealing with his life in the Army.

“This was in the middle of the day. The impact has already been quite significant. He’s lost his job and his accommodation.”

District Judge Natalie Wortley adjourned the case for reports until Monday, March 23, at the same court and told Keep: “All options are open including custody.

“It may be that there are alternatives.”

Keep gave a breath test reading of 102 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

He pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, and possession Class A drug cocaine.

The court heard he had a 2015 conviction for failing to provide a specimen for analysis.