Drink driver fled crash which damaged seven cars in Bridport

Kyle Blackwell, 28, drove over the limit with four people in the car he had just met that evening after "playing hard" and watching the boxing match between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, a court heard.

After losing control and causing the dramatic smash in South Street - in which seven vehicles in total were damaged plus a house - Blackwell ran to his home in St Michael's Lane and got into bed.

Police visited his home shortly afterwards and arrested him.

His solicitor told a court Blackwell had made a "stupid mistake".

Several cars were left damaged on the street following the crash (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Blackwell appeared before Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday, June 7 where he pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, driving a vehicle when alcohol level above the limit, being a driver involved in a road accident and failed to report that incident and failing to stop after a road accident.

The charges relate to an incident in the early hours of Sunday, May 19.

The News reported the incident at the time with residents describing the crash as 'like a bomb going off'.

Christina Norgan, prosecuting, said: “Police were travelling down South Street for another incident when they saw a car crashed and smoking.

“All of the passengers were in the car except the driver, who was nowhere to be seen.

“First aid was administered to the other passengers who were injured.

“Seven vehicles were damaged - one of which hit a wall and caused damage to a property.

“The passengers said they had met Blackwell in a pub that evening."

She added: “Police went to the address to which the vehicle was registered and found the defendant in bed; he was arrested on the four charges.

“During the arrest, some clothes were found that smelt of alcohol and inside a pocket the keys of the vehicle were located.

“Blackwell was taken into custody and the alcohol in his breath was 54 microgrammes, not quite twice above the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.

“He had lost control of the vehicle, spinning it and crashing into multiple cars.”

Cars were left with police tape around them and some were written off (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Patricia Sheehan, mitigating, said: “The defendant made full admittance to police and has made a guilty plea today.

“On his way out of the police station, he admitted himself to Reach (drug and alcohol recovery service).

“He works very hard as a self-employed dry-liner.

“He said he was working hard and playing hard and he made an enormous mistake.

“It was one stupid mistake and it has been a wake-up call.

“They had been watching a boxing fight in the early hours of the morning, having a good time.

“All of the passengers are now ok and that is all that matters.

“He knows he is going to lose his licence.”

Paul Rose, chair of the magistrates’ bench told the defendant: “You are here for very serious matters. Imagine if someone else was there - a pedestrian or another vehicle - imagine if your passengers had been seriously injured.

“We feel these matters are so serious that we need to know more about you.”

The case was adjourned until Thursday, August 1 for pre-sentence reports to be provided to the court.

Blackwell was given an interim disqualification from driving for six months or until he is sentenced.