A WORCESTER man who crashed his car into a shopping centre whilst over the legal limit may have suffered a “twitch” caused by his Tourette’s, magistrates heard.
Shaun Gordon, of Cartwright Avenue, crashed his Ford Fiesta into one of the pillars at the entrance to the CrownGate Shopping Centre on Broad Street, Worcester, at 4.37am on Friday, April 29.
The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to driving over the alcohol limit at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday (June 3).
Owen Beale, prosecuting, said: “Officers were called to CrownGate where they found Gordon’s car.
There were also two passengers in the car, both he and the passengers suffered minor injuries. He admitted to driving the vehicle.
“He has Tourette’s and may have experienced a twitch, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.”
Police conducted a breath test which revealed 47mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg.
The damaged pillar was boxed off and a cordon was put in place, but CrownGate was able to open for trading as usual later that morning.
Mark Lister, defending, said: “On the night, he had been out with friends from 11:30pm until 3am. He ate some food and drank some water between 3am and the time of the crash.
“He got into the car with his friends, the car was parked on Angel Place. He is not sure what happened. It is possible he did have a twitch caused by Tourette’s.”
Gordon has since disclosed his condition to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and his driving licence has been revoked on medical grounds.
Mr Lister said: “Having been released by the police, he notified his employer. They have confirmed his employment is safe. It is a mark of their value for him that they are going to arrange for him to be collected going to work.
“It was a minor accident and 47mcg in 100ml of breath is not a very high reading.
“He simply miscalculated it and is very upset about it.”
Gordon was handed a 14-month driving ban, a £95 fine, £135 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge. He will also complete a drink drive course.
