Sunderland rogue driver crashed Mercedes just weeks after receiving drink-driving ban

A roads menace has been spared jail for crashing into a garden wall after drinking - just months after being banned for boozing behind the wheel.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Reckless Gavin Winter, 38, smashed up a Mercedes in Nookside, Sunderland, and was unresponsive when the shocked homeowner rushed to his aid.

Winter, of Foxton Close, Sunderland, woke and tried to open the boot before fleeing on Wednesday, January 6, a court heard.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Police were alerted and found the factory worker in a nearby street.

The case was dealt with in South Shields at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court. The case was dealt with in South Shields at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.
The case was dealt with in South Shields at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

A test revealed 64mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath, putting him at almost twice the 35mcgs limit.

South Tyneside magistrates were told Winter had been banned from motoring for 20 months in November for drink driving.

He has now received a 10-week jail term, suspended for 18-months, and a three-year ban.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy said: “The witness was at home at about 11.30pm when she heard a loud noise.

“She looked out and saw that a silver car had crashed into her wall. She checked on the driver, who was not moving.

“The defendant then got out of the car and tried without success to get the boot open, and then ran off.

“A police officer was on duty and observed the defendant in Springwell Road, and he asked him if he had crashed the car. He said, ‘Yes’.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At his latest hearing, he pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to stop.

Greg Flaxen, defending, urged magistrates not to jail Winter, adding: “He has got into an argument with his girlfriend after drinking.

“He’s taken a short drive to a friend’s house. Clearly he’s left the scene.

“However, the second that he’s stopped by the police he accepts what he’s done, and he pleads guilty.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s two months after his ban, I would say that it’s a significant time.

“He reports that he doesn’t abuse alcohol, he says that he drinks very rarely, only one or two times a week.

“He works in a factory that makes houses, they then cut them down and ship them abroad.

“His employer thinks so much of him that had employed a driver for him.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Winter must also complete 30 days of rehabilitation work and 100 hours of unpaid work and pay both a £128 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

Read More
The latest Sunderland criminals to be locked up by the courts

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.