Hungerford motorist Robert Waite appeared drunk at scene of traffic collision

A RAGING motorist had to be restrained by a firefighter following a traffic collision.

Robert Waite was due to be sentenced at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, March 13.

The court had previously heard how, following the accident in Kintbury on June 2 last year the 33-year-old, of Priory Avenue, Hungerford, appeared to be drunk.

He was abusive and shouting racial slurs, the court heard.

A firefighter detained him on a grass verge until police arrived and arrested him.

However Mr Waite subsequently failed to provide a specimen for analysis to determine his level of intoxication, magistrates were told.

At the previous hearing he admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis and using racially aggravated threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress, on the same occasion.

Magistrates ordered pre-sentence reports to be prepared on an ‘all options’ basis, including custody, and released Mr Waite on unconditional bail.

But at last Wednesday’s sentencing hearing a probation officer told the court that the report had not been prepared.

Magistrates asked the reason why but the probation officer was unable to tell them without investigating.

It was stressed that the failure to provide the report was not the fault of Mr Waite.

The court reluctantly agreed to a further adjournment in order for Mr Waite to be interviewed by the probation service.

He was again released meanwhile on unconditional bail until Thursday, April 25.