Woodley man who crashed sports car into telephone pole banned

Darren Anderson, of Buccaneer Close, Woodley, was over the legal drink-drive limit when he crashed into the pole on Sandford Lane in his black Mercedes AMG Sport on December 30, 2020.

The 44-year-old’s driving caused the telephone pole to fall over as a result of the crash.

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Prosecuting, Mr Alistair Yapp told the court how Anderson then got out of his car and ran back to his home address.

Here, he reported his sports car had been stolen to police.

When officers arrived at his home, Anderson appeared to be out of breath and ‘agitated’.

According to the officers, the 44-year-old said he was out of breath because he had seen someone take his car and he ran after them down the road.

A picture of the Mercedes taken after the crash. Image via CVP.

One witness told police they had seen a man in a white t-shirt leaving the car behind, and when police turned up at Andersen’s address they spotted a muddy t-shirt on top of a washing pile.

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They also spotted a bag of white powder on the floor of Anderson’s address and also noticed that his car keys were still at his property.

Mr Yapp said officers were unconvinced at Anderson’s story, which “didn’t add up.”

He was taken outside for a breath test and officers found 110 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath -- the limit being 80mg per 100ml.

He also tested positive for cocaine before he was taken to Loddon Valley Police Station.

At a second interview, Anderson admitted he had crashed his car into the telephone pole while under the influence of alcohol.

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Mr Alan Walker, defending, said Anderson had been suffering from mental health issues when he crashed his car into the pole.

After crashing, the defendant “panicked and fled the scene”, the court heard.

Mr Walker said Anderson had done “everything right” since the incident, and had taken steps to ‘get help’.

Anderson’s childhood friend, a serving Metropolitan Police officer, appeared in court to support him.

A character reference from the police officer was read out by Mr Walker, and he claimed this incident was “clearly out of character to the Darren I know.”

Anderson pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of cocaine and obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, July 13.

He was sentenced on the same day and was fined £770 for the drink-driving offence, £385 for possession of cocaine and was told to pay court costs of £85.

Anderson was also banned from driving for 12 months.

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