A dangerous driver claimed not to have been in the driving seat – despite leaving his DNA on the airbag and having keys to the written-off Mazda in his pocket.

Gavin Wilkes eventually abandoned what a judge at Oxford Crown Court branded a ‘perfectly absurd defence’ that someone else was driving the Mazda 5 people carrier.

The 39-year-old admitted the charge on Friday, having previously told the court through his lawyers that a trial would no longer be required.

Prosecutor Matthew Knight said Wilkes’ poor driving was first noted by other drivers on Steventon Road, East Hanney, shortly after 8pm on September 12, 2021.

Driving ‘fairly quickly’ he negotiated a traffic chicane, clipped the verge then lost control of his car. The vehicle was badly damaged; the bumper was hanging off and clumps of grass were stuck in the dented vehicle panels.

“Mr Wilkes got out of his vehicle, had a quick look at the state of the vehicle he was driving and then got back in the driver’s side and carried on,” Mr Knight said.

He continued down Steventon Road, scattering debris and letting sparks fly from the damaged Mazda.

Oxford Mail:

One witness said the Mazda driver was having ‘difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle, nevertheless the engine was revving and Mr Wilkes appeared to be trying to get away as fast as possible’.

Mr Knight said: “Members of the public phoned the police and Mr Wilkes came to a rest a fairly short distance later outside the Wheatsheaf pub [in Drayton] at the mini-roundabout.

“Mr Wilkes alighted from his vehicle. Photographs taken by a member of the public of him showed him wearing some shorts.”

He was sporting an identical pair of shorts when he was detained a short distance away. He had the Mazda keys in his pocket.

Breathalysed at the police station, he blew 104mcgs of alcohol in 100ml of breath – three times the legal drink-driving limit.

On Friday (January 13), Wilkes, of Blaney Way, Poole, returned to the crown court and admitted dangerous driving and drink driving. He had a number of previous convictions for driving offences and is currently banned from the roads for four years.

Derek Barry, mitigating, said his client’s ‘recent problems’ were down to alcohol. A number of references spoke of his positive character.

Oxford Mail:

Recorder John Hardy KC imposed 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years. Although Wilkes deserved to go to prison, he said, Wilkes would only serve around eight months before he was eligible for release – and custody would have a harmful effect on his partner, employees and an elderly woman he helped.

“You’re very nearly 40 years old and it’s about time, so far as your life is concerned, that to use Mr Barry’s phrase you take a different direction. If I see you again you’ll take a different direction out of this courtroom,” he said.

“Members of the public will no doubt read about this case. They may well think this is a judge gone soft. You let me down on the chance that I’m giving you and I will not be soft.”

Wilkes must complete a 120 day alcohol abstinence tag, 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,500 in prosecution costs. He was disqualified from driving for four years and will have to pass an extended retest.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward