A dangerous driver from Winchelsea Beach who caused life changing injuries to a motorcyclist has been jailed for two and a half years. Before crashing on the A259 at Ferry Hill, Leigh Garside was seen driving at 100mph in Icklesham.
Garside, a 39 year old transport driver from Donald Way in Winchelsea Beach, admitted drink-driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Lewes Crown Court on February 15. He was jailed for two and a half years and disqualified from driving for six years and three months.
The court heard the incident took place just after midday on August 14 last year. A speed enforcement team working with Sussex Police recorded a Mercedes driven by Garside reaching 100mph in the 60mph zone on Main Road in Icklesham. After refusing to stop for police in Winchelsea, he veered onto the wrong side of the road near the bend at Ferry Hill hitting the motorcyclist from Essex who was riding with a group of friends. Garside failed to stop at the scene, but stopped a short distance away where he was arrested by officers. A positive breath was later recorded in custody (96 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 milliltres – the legal limit is 35).
PC Richard Brand from the Roads Policing Unit told the court Garside drove far above the speed limit and was drunk. He said: “His driving showed a total lack of regard for the safety of other road users and himself. The injured motorcyclist is still receiving treatment as a result of his injuries and this has had a profound effect on him and his family.”
Image Credits: Sussex Police .