A motorist who overtook another car at speed ended up in a field screaming in agony after swerving to avoid an oncoming vehicle.
Russell Marchant, who had been drinking before he got behind the wheel of his friend’s Renault Kangoo van, crashed the vehicle while overtaking another car on Leysdown Road, Sheerness, on July 7 last year.
The 41-year-old was seen overtaking at around 50 mph just as an oncoming car was approaching in the opposite direction. He swerved to avoid it but crashed into a field, seriously injuring himself. He had to spend several weeks in hospital.
The woman driving in the opposite direction also swerved to avoid a collision and ended up in a field as well. Fortunately, she was not injured but was shaken by the near miss.
Marchant was later arrested and charged. However, due to his injuries, he was unable to appear in court on the date of his hearing, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On July 1, Marchant, of Alma Road, Sheerness, appeared before the court, where he admitted to driving without due care and attention, driving while unfit through drink, and driving without insurance.
Terry Knox, prosecuting, said: “A witness was driving along Leysdown Road and saw the defendant behind him, travelling at about 50 mph and clearly in a rush to overtake.”
The court heard as Marchant overtook the witness’s car, he thought he was going to crash with an oncoming vehicle.
The prosecutor added: “The defendant’s vehicle tilted without any brake lights. The witness saw it go around on the other side of the road and it was going exceptionally fast. It then swerved to avoid a head-on collision.
“Marchant’s vehicle ended up in a field and the other car hit a curb and also rolled into a field. Its occupants were shaken and dialled 999.
“The first witness then saw the defendant in the field and could hear him screaming in pain. He was about 10 to 15ft from the vehicle and could see he had facial injuries.”
Magistrates were told Marchant had smashed his teeth out in the crash. When police arrived at the scene around 9:40 pm, he was barely conscious and was taken to King’s College Hospital in London.
Mr Knox added: “A procedure was carried out to take a blood sample with the defendant’s consent. It showed 77 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood—the legal limit being 80.
“He has a previous conviction (for drink-driving) in 2015, just so just less than the 10-year period, as this incident was in July 2024.”
In the UK, if a motorist is convicted of drink or drug driving twice within a 10-year period, they will automatically face a ban from driving for a minimum of three years.
The prosecutor added: “It was poor driving, it aggravates the offence.”
Natalie Brown, defending, said her client had spent several weeks in hospital following the crash and was still receiving ongoing treatment.
She added: “He’s no longer able to work. It has had a massive effect on his life, and he has no real recollection (of the incident.)
“He accepts the evidence and knows he must have had alcohol in his system at the time, but he can’t account for it. All he remembers is waking up at King’s College Hospital.
“He thinks he may have come round in the ambulance, but that’s it.
“It was a friend’s vehicle that he had borrowed, and the front tyre was on the wrong way around. However, he can’t say what happened.
“He does have a relevant previous conviction, which is just within the 10-year limit. He suffered facial and head trauma, continues to experience back pain, and is under the care of his GP.
“He provided medical evidence explaining why he didn’t attend court initially. It was agreed with police that a warrant would be issued and he would be brought before the court today. He has not received any medication while in custody.
“He receives PIP and has three children who live with his ex, bu he still sees them. He’s been struggling with his mental health and pain for the past few months.”
Magistrates banned Marchant from driving for three years. He was also fined £80 for each of the three offences, ordered to pay a £96 victim surcharge, and £85 in court costs.
If he completes a drink-driving awareness course, his ban will be reduced by a quarter.
