A TEENAGER knocked over a night clubber before driving away and losing control of his car while he was twice the legal drink drive limit, a court heard.

John Howard

A TEENAGER knocked over a night clubber before driving away and losing control of his car while he was twice the legal drink drive limit, a court heard.

Arron Griffiths, 19, from Stowupland Road in Stowmarket, collided with reveller Danielle Spooner who flew over the bonnet of the Toyota Corolla and managed to roll away to the side of the vehicle.

Miraculously the victim only suffered heavy bruising and no broken bones after the incident which happened on January 1 this year.

Magistrates at Bury St Edmunds heard Griffiths had been drinking in local pubs on New Year's Eve before going on to Jokers nightclub with a woman he had met that evening.

She trusted him with the keys to her car, and later on he left the club without her and got into the car, driving off. Later he turned round to return the Toyota to the Regal car park near Jokers, but ended up in the collision with Ms Spooner.

Ian Devine, prosecuting, said: “Griffiths did not stop, despite knowing what had just happened, he drove on. Some distance later he lost control of the car.

“When he approached a car park he hit the kerbside, lost control of the car again, smashing the driver's side of the vehicle in totally. Police were on duty and were advised of the incident. The car was found abandoned and Griffiths was close by.”

Kieran Dunphy, mitigating, said: “On this night he made the most foolish error of his 19 years. It was New Year's eve and he was having a good night.

“This young man has not given me a clear explanation of why he got in this car on that evening, but he realizes the most foolish thing he has done and it is only by the grace of God that this young woman, or this man , were not more seriously injured.

“Arron has really taken on board what could have happened to this young girl and he is absolutely full of remorse. He comes from a decent family and is deeply apologetic for what happened and now has to face his mistake.”

Griffiths pleaded guilty to four charges, driving after consuming with excess alcohol, aggravated vehicle taking, using a vehicle without insurance, and failing to stop at an accident.

Hugh Davies, chairman of magistrates, said their powers of punishment were not sufficient for the crimes and the 19-year-old was committed to crown court to face a judge, at a later date to be arranged.