Drunk estate agent fled from crash scene

A drunk estate agent crashed his car into an ambulance station wall in Fairhaven and ran off.
Blackpool Magistrates' CourtBlackpool Magistrates' Court
Blackpool Magistrates' Court

William Copeland, who was two-and-half times over the alcohol limit, was tracked down by police and lied to an officer about his name, pretending he was someone else.

Copeland, a 27-year-old estate agency lettings manager, of Wycliffe Road, London, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and failing to report an accident.

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Malcolm Isherwood, prosecuting, said a witness phoned police to say a VW Golf had crashed into the wall of the Ambulance Station, on Ansdell Road South, and two men had run off, on August 31 at 5.15am.

Police found Copeland, who lied about his name, then said he had lost control of the car, skidded and hit the wall. A breath test showed 90 microgrammes of alcohol in his body – 35 is the limit.

Neil Davies, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had come to visit his mother and grandparents.

He had gone out with a friend, had a meal and drunk some wine.

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Copeland was at a loss as to why he had got into the car. The road was wet and he lost control before fleeing.

Mr Davies added: “What happened was very much at odds with his character.

“He is exceptionally remorseful and apologetic. He feels he has dragged his family’s name through the mud.”

Copeland was disqualified from driving for 23 months, fined £660 with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £150 court charge plus £60 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.