Drink-driver reversed into car while four times limit
Gareth Rawnsley appeared at Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Monday - Credit: Archant
A drink-driver faces a possible jail sentence for backing his girlfriend's car into another vehicle while more than four times the limit.
Gareth Rawnsley appeared at Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Monday to admit drink-driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.
The 34-year-old, of Grove Lane, Ipswich, was told he could face jail when sentenced in the new year.
Prosecutor Mark Milkovics said the offences took place on July 27 outside Rawnsley's mother's address in Rendlesham.
The court heard how Rawnsley got behind the wheel of his girlfriend's Vauxhall Astra, which had been left in the driveway in order to jumpstart his mother's car, before reversing at speed into a Nissan Micra and some plant pots outside a neighbouring property.
When police arrived at the scene, Rawnsley was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech.
He was later found to have 147 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit being 35mcg.
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Mr Milkovics said the taking of the Vauxhall Astra without the consent of the owner was aggravated by the damage caused, and that Rawnsley was over the limit at the time.
Rawnsley told the court he had intended only to turn the car around.
"I hit the accelerator more than I should have," he added.
"As a result, it reversed at speed at went into someone's car."
Rawnsley said he had a drink problem at the time but had since sought help from substance misuse charity, Turning Point.
Magistrates said the offences involved a "catalogue" of aggravating factors.
They ordered an all-options pre-sentence report from the probation service - to include the possibility of a custodial term.
Rawnsley was released on unconditional bail and handed an interim driving disqualification until a sentencing hearing on February 1.
