Hastings electrician crashed into parked car while over drink-drive limit

An electrician who crashed into a parked vehicle is among the latest motorists to be disqualified as part of Operation Dragonfly, Surrey and Sussex Police's summer crackdown on drink and drug-drivers.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Jun 2016, 17:21 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 23:28 BST

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Operation Dragonfly is focused on drink and drug-drivingOperation Dragonfly is focused on drink and drug-driving
Operation Dragonfly is focused on drink and drug-driving

At about 11.50pm on Tuesday, June 7, police were called by a member of public to a collision in Victoria Road, Hastings.

Sussex Police said on arrival, officers discovered a man in the driver’s seat of a silver BMW 318 which had collided with a stationary taxi – a silver Ford Transit.

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Arresting officer PC Matt Elms said: “We approached the BMW and spotted a man sitting in the driver’s seat.

“His eyes were closed and his head was slumped forward. I knocked on the window and roused the man, who then opened his door.

“As the door opened there was a clear smell of alcohol and the man was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.”

Robert Spillane, 37, of Montgomery Road, Hastings, was subsequently charged with driving with 97mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.

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He pleaded guilty at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (June 22) and was disqualified from driving for two years.

He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months and pay £85 costs.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving or visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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To keep up to date with officers looking for drink or drug drivers, follow #opdragonfly on Twitter.

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs call 999.

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Related topics:BMWSussex PoliceHastingsSurreyPeople