Chichester drink-driver caused head on crash in West Sussex

James Lamont was travelling west on the A259 Bognor Road, towards Chichester, in his Audi Q2 when for unknown reasons he crossed into the opposing carriageway.

The 28-year-old, of Anna Sewell Road in Chichester, crashed into an oncoming BMW 3 Series which was driven on the correct side of the road. It happened at about 4am on August 10 last year.

The passenger in that car – a 20-year-old man from Bognor – sustained a broken leg which continues to affect him in everyday life.

In his victim impact statement written after the collision, he said: “I still get what I consider to be PTSD when I am the passenger in cars. I receive flashbacks three or four times a week, sometimes at work, and these flashbacks include a pair of headlights coming straight towards me. This brings my recollection of the initial impact immediately back to my mind.

“Prior to the collision, I was getting into kickboxing and had been a couple of times. I had been pursuing this new hobby but now I don’t know if the metal rod in my leg and my level of flexibility will allow me to continue.

“This incident has significantly affected my work, my relationship, my mental health, home life and everything in between.

“I just want to get back to my full routine, back to work properly, back to the gym, back to doing the things I love with my friends and family. Back to normality.”

Emergency services responded to the scene of the collision and noticed Lamont had glazed eyes, was unsteady on his feet and had an overwhelming smell of alcohol.

He was arrested and charged with causing serious injury by careless driving and drink-driving. He had 90 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood in his system. The legal limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and at Worthing Magistrates’ Court on March 3 he was sentenced to a 12-month community order, requiring him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for 24 months, fined £455, and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Investigating officer PC Jed Gobey, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “My colleagues in the Roads Policing Unit and I are passionate about policing those who choose to drive while impaired or while under the influence of either drink or drugs. I can’t stress enough, it is selfish, it is dangerous and it can change the lives of you and others. Drink or drive; never both.”