A YOUNG man who has never had a driving lesson or sat a driving test took his father’s BMW 3 Series, damaged four vehicles parked on his own street, crashed in to a van then fled the scene of the accident.

Elliot Lewis, 20, of Stranraer Road, Pennar, was almost three times the legal alcohol limit.

This is the second time he has taken a vehicle belonging to his parents, driven it while drunk and failed to stop after an accident. He also has a conviction for theft and for possessing cocaine.

Magistrates sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Wednesay described the incident as “extremely serious” and told Lewis he was “lucky to have not killed someone” before sentencing him to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and banning him from driving for three years.

He was also ordered to pay costs, attend 20 days of rehabilitation and do 200 hours of unpaid work.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan said Lewis smashed the back wheel off a Volkswagen Golf, splitting the alloy rim in two, snapping the suspension and severely denting the driver’s side door.

He sheared off a Citroen’s wing mirror, dented and scratched a Ford Fiesta and caused damage to the rear bumper and licence plate of a Vauxhall Astra by shunting one of the other vehicles in to it.

The BMW was written off as a result of colliding with the rear of the van.
Lewis admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance or a licence, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and drink driving.

“The vehicle was registered to a Sean Lewis of Stranraer Road. 

“The officers went there and the defendant’s mother opened the door,” Ms Morgan explained.

“She knew nothing about the incident, and said only her husband drove the vehicle and he was away working.

"An officer went in to the kitchen, and saw a red hoodie on the kitchen counter and kitchen towel with spots of blood on it.”

A witness to the crash had seen a person in a red hooded top exit the BMW and run away.

Lewis said he had been out drinking but denied taking the BMW.

He gave a positive breath test and when it was later put to him that results of DNA taken from the vehicle’s airbag matched his, he said “no comment”.

Probation Officer Julie Norman said Lewis committed the offences due to “family pressure”.

“His brother was recovering from open heart surgery, and a close family friend had committed suicide,” she said.

“He was finding it difficult to cope. He is extremely remorseful and has apologised to his neighbours.

"He’s not alcohol dependant but binge drinks when he goes out with the boys. He currently does not have any emotional issues and is working full-time for an engineering firm.”