Darts player Simon Goodfellow banned from driving after car park crash

A DARTS player has admitted reversing into another player's car and driving off before refusing to take a breath test for the police.

Simon Goodfellow, 52, of Longfield House, Longfield Close, Lower Park Road, Braunton, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen, failing to stop after the accident, which happened on January 4, and failing to report the accident when he appeared at North Devon Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Mark Haddow, for the prosecution, told magistrates how police were called to Braunton Cricket Club by the owner of an Alfa Romeo which had been reversed into.

The owner said he knew Goodfellow had parked his Mitsubishi L200 pick-up truck adjacent to his car.

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After visiting Goodfellow's house officers found him ready for bed and saw there was damage to his car which was consistent with the damage done to the Alfa Romeo.

He was arrested and told officers he had been playing in a darts tournament and had drunk five or six pints.

Once at Barnstaple police station Goodfellow became "obstructive, belligerent and non-compliant", said Mr Haddow, and refused to give a breath sample.

"Once sober he told officers he recalled driving to Braunton Cricket Club but remembered nothing else," said Mr Haddow.

He also told officers he didn't like their "provocative" attitudes.

Tim Hook, for the defence, said Goodfellow is a self employed used car trader who would lose his livelihood if banned from driving. "He had some beer to drink but thought the effects of it would have worn off," he said.

He also said the crash had seen Goodfellow make "minimal contact" with the Alfa Romeo and he was "completely and understandably unaware of the incident".

He said Goodfellow had blown into a breathalyser "to the best of his ability" once at the station but a "breakdown in communication" meant he gave up.

The police did manage to take one reading of 65 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, but were unable to obtain a second reading and charge Goodfellow with drink driving. The legal limit is 35.

Presiding magistrate Judith Kauntze handed Goodfellow a 16-month driving ban and a £390 fine. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £39 victim surcharge.