Reading Magistrates' Court: Tilehurst drink-driver demolished street lamps

A DRINK-driver demolished street furniture including lamp posts and road signs.

Witnesses were so concerned by the mayhem that police received several calls from members of the public.

In the dock at Reading Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, January 12, was engineering company executive Craig Moses.

Maddie Charlesworth, prosecuting, said officers responded to reports of a car being driven erratically, "swerving across the road and colliding with roadside furniture in Long Lane, Tilehurst".

Police found 49-year-old Mr Moses, who lives at Fairford Road, Tilehurst, in the driving seat of a car with "significant front end damage".

Ms Charlesworth added: "It was clear to the officers that he was under the influence of alcohol."

Mr Moses, head of training and information at Schindler Ltd., made "full and frank admissions" after tests showed he had drunk more than two-and-a-half times the legal alcohol limit.

But, after hiring expensive lawyers who reportedly advised him to fight the case despite his initial admissions, Mr Moses pleaded not guilty to driving after drinking more than the legal limit on August 1 last year.

At the latest hearing, however, and with a new law form advising him, he changed his plea to guilty.

Michael Phillips, defending, said: "He has never been arrested before and was panicking.

"He stumbled across the former firm who persuaded him that things could be done.

"He paid quite a substantial sum of money to these solicitors and not a lot was happening."

Then, last December, Mr Moses became disillusioned and sought advice from Mr Phillips' firm, following which he pleaded guilty.

Mr Phillips added: "On the day in question he had gone to a friend's house to watch the rugby and the plan was to get a taxi to take him home.

"He has no explanation for why he did probably the most foolish thing in his life.

"Mr Moses co-operated with the police and made full and frank admissions."

Mr Phillips handed the court a reference from his client's employers.

District judge Kathryn Verghis told Mr Moses: "You sought the legal advice you were given and it was your choice whether or not to accept it.

"The damage to your car indicates there was an accident and you placed yourself and members of the public at risk."

Mr Moses was made subject to a 12 month community order and required to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work.

In addition he was ordered to pay £600 costs plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £95.

Finally, Mr Moses was banned from driving for 22 months.