Driver was not concentrating, court told

AN Ipswich motorist could be jailed for drink driving and careless driving. Leon Edwards told a jury he was not "concentrating" when he hit a pedestrian then smashed into a brick wall.

By Helen Skene

helen.skene@eveningstar.co.uk>

AN Ipswich motorist could be jailed for drink driving and careless driving.

Leon Edwards told a jury he was not "concentrating" when he hit a pedestrian then smashed into a brick wall.

Edwards, 23, of Kingsway was cleared of dangerous driving but found guilty of careless driving by a jury after about half an hour of deliberation.

He also admitted driving with Vauxhall Vectra with excess alcohol and to having no insurance. Edwards told Ipswich Crown Court he drives along Woodbridge Road and into Argyle Street every week. But on August 5 he was travelling between ten and 15 miles per hour faster than usual.

Edwards said although it was dark the roads were wet, he was driving down hill and he was drunk. He was driving at up to 45 miles per hour in the 30 mile per hour limit.

"I was not concentrating," said Edwards. He said he "slammed" on the breaks too late. He told police: "I did not judge it because I had a little bit of alcohol early on."

A urine test after the accident revealed Edwards had 136 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. The legal limit is 107.

The court heard that Edwards was slightly over the legal limit for driving when he skidded round the corner, hit a woman and her boyfriend and smashed a brick wall.

Jane Adderson had suffered a broken back while her boyfriend Brian Birch had suffered long term loss of hearing.

Judge Nicholas Beddard ordered a pre-sentence report and released Edwards on bail until June 7 when he is to be sentenced. Judge Beddard said custody could not be ruled out.