Lincs: A learner driver stole and crashed a pizza delivery man’s car

Karl Peacock had been given a lift by the car owner at the end of his shift but was left in the passenger seat while the man went inside his shop to cash up.

Jeremy Jaines, prosecuting, said that while the car owner was in the shop Peacock drove off without the permission of the owner.

He took another friend home and then continued driving for a short distance before he overturned the vehicle which ended up on its roof.

Police were called to the incident and Peacock, who was injured, was taken by ambulance to the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, for treatment.

Mr Jaines said: “Lager cans were found scattered inside the car.”

“Three hours after the incident Peacock provided a positive breath sample.”

“Blood was taken and the reading was twice the legal limit.”

The reading showed he had 100 mgs of alcohol per 100 mls of blood compared to the legal limit of 80 mgs.

When he was interviewed he admitted he only had a provisional driving licence and had taken just 20 hours of lessons.

Peacock, 22, of Brittain Drive, Grantham, admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking, driving with excess alcohol, driving without a full licence and driving without insurance as a result of the incident which happened on 24th October 2014.

He was given an eight month jail sentence suspended for two years with 18 months supervisions and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was also banned from driving for 12 months.

Recorder Richard Jones QC told him: “It is fortunate there were no serious injuries or fatalities caused.”

Michael Cranmer-Brown, defending, said Peacock agreed to take a friend home and had intended to return the car only to crash.

He said: “Temptation was placed in his path.”

“He was sitting in this vehicle and his friend was asking him to take him home.”

“Although he didn’t have a driving licence he’d had 20 hours of lessons.”

“He wasn’t a complete novice behind the wheel.”