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Posted on Thursday 23 February 2023
Photo 23-02-2023, 15 01 58

A reckless driver has been jailed after crashing his car into a petrol station forecourt.

Peter Wilkinson drove at speeds of up to 70mph whilst under the influence of drugs around Durham before crashing his car in July last year.

Wilkinson and his passenger came to a stop after the vehicle crashed into and island on the A167 and spun into a nearby petrol station.

Four vehicles were on the forecourt at the time but thankfully nobody was injured.

The 43-year-old and his passenger were taken to hospital for medical treatment.

Wilkinson, of Willington was later arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving whilst under the influence of drugs.

He appeared at Durham Crown Court on Tuesday (February 21) and was handed a 16-month custodial sentence, he was also banned from driving for three years and eight months.

PC Gareth Hopps, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is never going to end well for anyone.

“Wilkinson not only put his life at risk but his passenger and everyone else on the roads that day too.

“Please don’t be one of those people who risks it and thinks they won’t get caught – you will, and when you are, you will have to face justice.”

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