I was sleepwalking, when I crashed my car...
Discussion
A motorist has been acquitted of drink-driving charges after he claimed he was sleepwalking when he crashed his car.
Charges against computer analyst Stephen Hearn, from Solihull, West Midlands, were dropped on Thursday when he appeared at Warwick Crown Court.
Mike Jobbins chairman of the Campaign Against Drinking and Driving is now calling on legal system to take a tougher stance against drink-drivers.
"I despair with these people. It actually shows how simple these magistrates and judges are," he said. "You can go into court and say: 'Sorry I did that, I was sleepwalking. It is ludicrous - the courts do not take drinking and driving seriously."
A blood test showed Mr Hearn was one-and-a-half times over the limit when he crashed his BMW in November 2001. He said the accident happened after drinking four pints of lager and used medical evidence to prove he had been sleepwalking.
The prosecution offered no evidence after he presented medical proof showing it was perfectly possible that he was asleep while driving his car.
Mr Hearn was found slumped behind the wheel of his 320 Coupe after it had shot across a dual carriageway at 80mph and ploughed into trees 400 yards from his home.
The 41-year-old, who has a long-standing medical condition which caused him to sleepwalk, told police the last thing he remembered was watching television a few hours before the crash.
Jeremy Wright, prosecuting, said it was not in the public interest to press ahead with the case against Mr Hearn in view of the medical evidence.
Recorder Michael Burrows formally recorded a not guilty verdict on the dangerous driving charge and dismissed the excess alcohol allegation.
Charges against computer analyst Stephen Hearn, from Solihull, West Midlands, were dropped on Thursday when he appeared at Warwick Crown Court.
Mike Jobbins chairman of the Campaign Against Drinking and Driving is now calling on legal system to take a tougher stance against drink-drivers.
"I despair with these people. It actually shows how simple these magistrates and judges are," he said. "You can go into court and say: 'Sorry I did that, I was sleepwalking. It is ludicrous - the courts do not take drinking and driving seriously."
A blood test showed Mr Hearn was one-and-a-half times over the limit when he crashed his BMW in November 2001. He said the accident happened after drinking four pints of lager and used medical evidence to prove he had been sleepwalking.
The prosecution offered no evidence after he presented medical proof showing it was perfectly possible that he was asleep while driving his car.
Mr Hearn was found slumped behind the wheel of his 320 Coupe after it had shot across a dual carriageway at 80mph and ploughed into trees 400 yards from his home.
The 41-year-old, who has a long-standing medical condition which caused him to sleepwalk, told police the last thing he remembered was watching television a few hours before the crash.
Jeremy Wright, prosecuting, said it was not in the public interest to press ahead with the case against Mr Hearn in view of the medical evidence.
Recorder Michael Burrows formally recorded a not guilty verdict on the dangerous driving charge and dismissed the excess alcohol allegation.
I'm not boring you am I??Errmm.. okay then.. surely this long term condition would engender his driving license being revoked for having a dangerous disability pending doctors' reports.. but no.
Still, at least I can DD with impunity now I know that sleepwalking is a splendid alibi.
Carry on Mrs F - you're doing a fine job
Still, at least I can DD with impunity now I know that sleepwalking is a splendid alibi.
Carry on Mrs F - you're doing a fine job
CarZee said: Errmm.. okay then.. surely this long term condition would engender his driving license being revoked for having a dangerous disability pending doctors' reports.. but no.
Couldn't agree more - ban him just like epileptics who are not allowed to drive - for their safety let alone ours - but for this bloke it's no tragedy.
sadoksevoli said:
CarZee said: Errmm.. okay then.. surely this long term condition would engender his driving license being revoked for having a dangerous disability pending doctors' reports.. but no.
Couldn't agree more - ban him just like epileptics who are not allowed to drive - for their safety let alone ours - but for this bloke it's no tragedy.
But surely if he 'sleep drives' he would still do it without a licence and if hes awake hes no worse a risk than the rest of us.
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