Constipated drink-driver crashed into car full of elderly people

A constipated drink-driver crashed into a car full of pensioners during a police chase after he became desperate to use the toilet, a court heard. Philip Breeze, who had drunk six pints before getting behind the wheel, led police on a chase through the Kirkstall and Horsforth areas of Leeds before the officers deemed chasing him too dangerous.

They arrested Breeze at his home later that day – where he was still two times over the limit. Breeze ploughed into the side of a vehicle in which four people in their 80s and 90s were travelling. The car hit by Breeze’s vehicle was forced on to its side and skidded along for 20 metres. Leeds Crown Court heard Breeze, 54, had been to a pub with a friend on July 27 before driving him to a railway station.



Breeze’s vehicle was spotted swerving across the road by a member of the public who contacted the police after it struck a parked car. Simon Reevell, prosecuting, said the witness dialled 999 and gave a running commentary of Breeze’s bad driving to police. Breeze drove through a junction and struck a Ford Fusion. Breeze, of Horsforth, then drove over a verge to get away from police. He was arrested three hours later and found to be twice the drink-drive limit.

Breeze pleaded guilty to drink-driving, failing to stop after an accident and dangerous driving. The court heard he had previously been jailed for drink- driving. Deborah Smithies, mitigating, said Breeze had been suffering from severe constipation for several days but suddenly felt the urge to use the lavatory while he was driving. She added: “It caused him to panic.” She said Breeze was full of remorse for what he had done. The judge said: “I take the view that there is no alternative to immediate custody.” He jailed Breeze for 24 weeks and also banned him from driving for two years.