A drunk driver who had empty vodka bottles in his car after crashing into a moped and assaulting a witness has appeared in court. Paul Cox was driving along Watson Road in Nechells on April 2 when he knocked a rider off a moped in a hit-and-run, Birmingham Magistrates' Court heard.
The 42-year-old, of Catisfield Crescent, Wolverhampton, drove off without stopping before colliding with another car. A Good Samaritan witness then pinned him to the floor in a scuffle to prevent him from causing further harm.
Court details
Cox pleaded guilty to common assault, failure to provide a specimen for analysis, and failing to stop after an accident. Prosecutor Ms Pogorzelska told the court: 'The defendant was spotted driving and crashed into a moped, causing them to fall off. He drove off without stopping and the same vehicle then collided with another car.'
She added: 'He was spotted by a witness who, when he got out of the car, went to grab the keys so he couldn't drive away anymore. He tried to grab him and stop him from assaulting him, he had to pin him to the floor while waiting for the police to attend. In the scuffle, he was approaching him aggressively and had clenched fists.'
When police arrived, they could smell alcohol on his breath, saw he was unsteady on his feet, and noticed his slurred speech. Empty vodka bottles were found in his car during a search. He refused to provide a breath sample. The prosecutor noted that the level of impediment was high and the moped rider potentially suffered injuries.
Sentencing adjourned
Cox, who had no previous convictions and was unrepresented, was told to return for sentencing in July as the judge could not impose a long enough sentence. Deputy District Judge Wallace said: 'You clearly had a considerable amount to drink. You assaulted someone who was trying to prevent you from causing future harm to life. I do not think the court has the power to give you long enough. I'm going to ask probation to prepare a pre-sentence report. These are very, very serious matters.'
Cox was banned from driving and released on conditional bail until his sentencing hearing.
