A YOUNG north Cumbrian motorist who ran away shortly after crashing into a metal fence in Penrith was drink driving for a second time. 

The bad driving of 21-year-old Billy James Dickenson, formerly of Edenhall, Penrith, happened a year and half after he was banned for an earlier drink driving offence.

At Carlisle’s Rickergate court, Dickenson admitted four offences: drink driving, driving without being properly insured, failing to stop after an accident, and failing to report the accident. Prosecutor George Shelley outlined the facts.

“It happened on August 18 last year,” said the lawyer.

“Officers attended a mini roundabout… near Wordsworth Street following a report of a vehicle crashing into a fence and they arrived to see a Vauxhall Corsa had collided with a metal fence and a concrete bollard.”

The officer spotted the defendant at the roadside. “But Mr Dickenson ran off from the crash scene,” continued Mr Shelley.

The defendant’s description was passed on and a few minutes later police  stopped the defendant and gave him a breath test, producing a reading of 74mcg in 100mls of breath.

A later blood test confirmed that defendant had 111mg of alcohol in 100mls of blood. The legal limit is 80mcg.

Magistrates were told that Dickenson had one previous conviction – another drink driving offence dating back to March of 2022.

Chris Toms, defending, referred magistrates to a nine-page pre-sentence report which had been prepared by the Probation Service. “He’s clearly a troubled man,” said the lawyer. He said the background report contained suggestions about how this could be addressed.

Mr Toms pointed out that once he had been detained the defendant had been fully cooperative with the police officers.

A Probation worker in court pointed out that Dickenson had been assessed as not being suitable for a mental health treatment requirement.

He did not take a drink driver rehabilitation course following his last conviction for that offence.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, with a three-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 15 rehabilitation activity days.

Dickenson was also fined £140, with a £114 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs. He was banned for 40 months and offered the rehabilitation course. If completed within a deadline, it will reduce the ban by 40 weeks.

The presiding magistrates told the defendant that, given that this was his second drink driving offence, the likely sentence would be jail if he repeats the same kind of behaviour.

“We stepped back from that today but you have come close to it,” said the magistrates.