Car insurance news
ITN newsman's car stolen by drunk driver
A drunk driver could be refused cheap car insurance in the future after taking an ITN reporter's car without permission.
Peter Hewitt, 24, was staying at the home of TV newsman Adrian Britton, when he took the company car in the early hours of the morning.
Driving without motor insurance and already banned from the road following a previous drink driving conviction, Hewitt was involved in a car crash not far from the reporter's home.
Fortunately, the smash did not cause any injuries to pedestrians or motorists but Hewitt fled the scene and was found the following day carrying the keys to the stolen Mondeo.
A blood sample taken from the car's airbag showed that Hewitt was over the drink limit by more than three times and, appearing at Bournemouth Magistrates' Court, the 24-year-old admitted to driving while disqualified, having no car insurance and driving with excess alcohol.
Chairman of the Bench, Mrs Jane Jamieson said: "This is the highest alcohol reading any of us has ever seen."
The theft of the vehicle and consequent car accident resulted in a four-month prison sentence being imposed, suspended for a year. Hewitt was also given a three year ban from driving and had his license endorsed with penalty points. He will have to pay £34 court costs and carry out 120 hours community work.
It is now likely that the youngster will struggle to find a cheap car insurance deal following his recent escapades.