A MAN reversed into a police officer after being told he would be tested for drugs.
Lee Barker, 36 and of French Road in Poole, was pulled over by officers and when told he would be drug tested, he got back into his car to ‘look for his phone’, before driving off.
Prosecuting, Tom Wright told Bournemouth Crown Court Barker then sped off after a three-point turn, reversing into one of the officers who had stopped him.
He was next spotted by police officers in the corner of the B&Q car park nearby, having been captured going 79mph in the 30mph-limited Fleets Lane.
When this officer switched on the blue lights to alert Barker, he then drove off again, and entered a corner on Willis Way ‘far too fast’, Mr Wright said.
He then hit another vehicle head on, causing the car’s airbags to deploy and giving its driver friction burns.
Barker was then detained by officers after escaping on foot, following a short chase.
Cocaine and cannabis were found in his car, and Barker admitted to all offences at interview, including being under the influence of both drugs, telling officers he had been going through a tough time, Mr Wright said.
Mitigating, Ned Sillett told the court that his use of drugs was related to his mental health, having been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and that he had hit a low point.
Mr Sillett said: “Mr Barker used cocaine particularly as a crutch.”
He added that Barker is ‘truly sorry’ and ‘apologises profusely’ and has remained abstinent from cocaine since the incident.
This is reinforced by his family, who have ensured he has been taking regular drugs tests, with Barker seeing the benefits of not using cocaine.
Barker has young children, with Mr Sillett adding that a custodial sentence would be ‘detrimental to his young family’.
Sentencing, recorder Jodie Mittell said he was plainly suffering with mental health problems and the ‘context of an emotional time’ had led to him turning to drugs.
She said he accepted that he panicked when the police stopped him, saying that he behaved in a ‘stupid’ way that was out of character.
Recorder Mittell said: “It would be a travesty to send you to prison.”
She added: “I accept you’ve done everything you can since then to right the wrongs.”
Barker was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months, disqualified from driving for two years and given 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
He has been ordered to pay £500 in compensation to both the driver of the car involved in the crash and the police officer he hit.
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