Tipsy father-of-three crashes car into tree

Quaffed champagne at children's birthday party

A TIPSY father of three injured his children by crashing his car into a tree – after quaffing champagne at a youngsters’ birthday party, Newbury magistrates heard.

Nathan Shurvill had drunk more than twice the legal limit when his white BMW careered off the Baughurst Road in Tadley, the court was told on Thursday, February 25.

Louise Attrill, prosecuting, said the 28-year-old’s partner sustained bruising in the incident and added: “Of the three children the five-month-old received no injuries. But the five-year-old and six-year-old suffered bruising and grazes in the crash.

“Although they were injured, they were treated at the scene by ambulance staff and did not require hospital treatment.”

Tests subsequently showed 74mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in the system of Mr Shurvill, who lives at Wendover Way, Tilehurst.

Ms Attrill added: “This offence is obviously aggravated by the fact that there were other people in the vehicle, including very young children who sustained injuries as a result of the collision.”

Simon Grant, defending, said his client was a professional carpenter who had been to a children’s birthday party earlier that afternoon where he had drunk lager and Champagne.

He added: “He thought he would be under the limit. His partner, who attends court with him today, is expecting a fourth child. This incident has been a massive wake-up call – he has never been involved in the criminal justice system before.”

After retiring to confer, magistrates told Mr Shurvill he would be banned from driving for 24 months.

In addition, he was fined £480 and ordered to pay £85 costs plus a £48 victim surcharge.