A drink-driver who crashed his car and walked away from the scene has been banned from the roads for at least a year.

Michael Crockett, from Paget, admitted the offence when he appeared in Magistrates’ Court.

The 36-year-old lost control of the car and ran off the road into a five-foot drop on Mullet Bay Road, St George’s, shortly before 12.30am on August 30, the court heard.

Police officers saw Crockett and a female passenger walking away from the scene and stopped them.

Crockett was unsteady on his feet and the officers smelt liquor on his breath.

Crockett replied “yes” when asked if he had been driving the car and if he had consumed alcohol. Police found the car keys in his pocket.

Crockett failed a breathalyser test at Hamilton Police Station.

He was disqualified for 18 months and received a $1,500 suspended fine.

Crockett was referred to the DUI treatment court programme, which, upon successful completion, means his disqualification can be reduced.

Meanwhile, a visitor to the island who admitted riding an auxiliary cycle in Hamilton while impaired by alcohol was fined $1,500 and banned from Bermuda’s roads for 18 months

Franz Wilhelm, whose address was given as Pembroke, admitted driving the bike on September 9.

He was riding along Reid Street when he lost control at the junction with Queen Street and hit a parked van.

Officers spoke with the 59-year-old about the collision. His speech was slurred and they detected alcohol on his breath.

In custody, Wilhelm complained that he was in pain. He was transferred to hospital where it was discovered he had broken a rib.

He told the court: “I’m very sorry, this is not my usual behaviour. I’m really sorry this happened.

“Four days in hospital, every body was really nice. I hit the gas instead of the brake.”

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