A driver claimed he had just one vodka and lemonade when he drove into the back of another car and caused it to flip onto its roof. He failed to stop at the scene and left his victim to be cut out of the wreckage.
Kallum Mogford, 25, was driving an Audi A3 when he collided with a blue Mazda driven by Elizabeth Williams in Newbridge, Caerphilly, on September 24 last year. He had been out drinking in the town's Labour Club that day and drove his ex-partner's car without permission.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard bar staff at the Labour Club remembered serving the defendant with one vodka and lemonade before he left. He and friend then got into the black Audi before the collision took place minutes later in North Road.
Read more: Get the latest court cases sent to your email inbox with our Crime & Punishment newsletter
As Mogford approached a junction he failed to give way to Ms Williams' Mazda and drove into the rear of her vehicle causing it to flip onto its roof. The defendant carried on driving and did not check on the victim who had to be cut from the wreckage once the emergency services were called.
Despite the collision prosecutor Nik Strobl said Ms Williams was left with minor injuries including scarring to her knuckles and a cracked tooth. She was also hit financially after her car was written off and after insurance payments she was left £350 out of pocket.
Mogford, of Gordon Road, Swffryd, Blaenau Gwent, was arrested on January 4 and told police: "I know I was the driver and it was wrong." Despite this comment he initially denied responsibility but he later pleaded guilty to careless driving and failing to stop following a road traffic collision.
The defendant is currently serving a prison sentence of 45 months after being convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine in January this year. He has a number of previous convictions for motoring offences including drug-driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop, and driving without a licence.
In mitigation Nick Clough said his client had only drunk one vodka lemonade before driving and there was no evidence to suggest he was intoxicated. He also said the defendant did not know the junction well and it was tricky to navigate.
Sentencing, Recorder Simon Hughes said: "This was no doubt a terrifying event." He sentenced Mogford to four weeks imprisonment to be served consecutively to his current sentence. The judge also disqualified the defendant from driving for 23 months.
You can sign up to our regular Crime and Punishment newsletter here while this interactive tool allows you to check the latest crime statistics for your area:
