Newport Driver Jailed After 8-Hour Drinking Binge Bus Stop Crash

A Newport man who spent eight hours drinking before getting behind the wheel has been jailed after seriously injuring an elderly woman when he mounted the pavement and crashed into a bus stop.

Kelsey Kent, 30, of Swallow Way in Dyffryn, had been drinking since early afternoon on 24th August last year, Newport Crown Court heard. CCTV footage showed him driving between pubs, consuming at least five pints and beers throughout the day.

Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett told the court Kent was “unsteady on his feet” when he left the final pub at around 10pm. Driving at “about 40mph” in a 20mph zone, Kent drifted across the road after a slight bend and drove along the pavement for “many many yards” before the collision.

The victim, a woman in her eighties who had been waiting at the bus stop after an evening at Risca Workmen’s Club, was “thrown up in the air” by the impact. She “wouldn’t have known what was coming,” Mr Bennett said.

The woman suffered serious leg injuries requiring emergency skin graft surgery at Morriston Hospital, head injuries, facial bruising, muscle damage to her arm, and foot misalignment requiring a medical boot. The bus stop was completely destroyed.

In a victim statement, she said: “The incident always now plays on my mind. I have nightmares about the incident. I feel weak and broken. I don’t think I realise how lucky I am to be alive.”

Kent remained at the scene and recorded 193 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood – more than twice the legal limit of 80mg.

Defence barrister Martha Smith-Higgins said: “Nothing I say on behalf of Mr Kent can undo what he did that day. He knows he must face the consequences. This offending has been a wake-up call for him.”

The court heard Kent had voluntarily started attending weekly sessions to address his drinking and it “broke his heart” to hear the impact on the victim.

Judge Celia Hughes said: “You had been drinking for many hours in the day when you made that decision to drive that night.” She added it was “a wonder” the victim wasn’t killed.

Kent pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink-driving. He was jailed for two years and 10 months, banned from driving for 41 months, and must pass an extended re-test to regain his licence.