A reckless driver has been told it is “sheer luck he did not kill somebody” after reaching three times the speed limit while drunk.
Liam O’Rourke went hurtling down a 30mph road at 86mph, almost three times the speed limit, last month (February 10) while comfortably over the legal alcohol limit.
But little did the 22-year-old know a stationary police car was parked at the next junction and officers caught his reckless antics behind the wheel on camera.
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Dashcam footage showed a group of bystanders at a bus stop turn their heads in disbelief as O’Rourke’s Peugeot went flashing by them on Chillingham Road, Newcastle.
Police were then able to use the footage to calculate his shocking speed.
When pulled over by officers O’Rourke, of Orchard Place, Jesmond, Newcastle, recorded a breathalyser test reading of 58 micrograms per 100 millilitres, way exceeding the limit of 35 micrograms.
Appearing before Newcastle Magistrates Court on Monday (February 27) he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving while above the legal limit.
He was handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and banned from getting back behind the wheel for 14 months.
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After serving the ban he will have to pass an extended driving test before being allowed back in control of a car.
Speaking after the sentencing Northumbria Police Sergeant Glen Robson said: “The manner of driving was absolutely appalling, and O’Rourke should be ashamed of his actions.
“In my 19 years of service, I can’t recall anybody travelling down that road as fast as this. It’s sheer luck that he did not kill somebody.
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“Thankfully, a patrolling police car was in the area and from the dashcam footage we were able to use specialist analysis to determine O’Rourke’s speed. This is just another tool we can use in order to bring dangerous drivers to justice.
“As soon as we saw how fast he was travelling, our immediate priority was to make sure the vehicle was brought to a swift and safe stop – and thankfully we were able to do that within minutes. It came as little surprise that he was also over the legal limit for alcohol.
“O’Rourke’s driving was totally unacceptable – and he proved that he cannot be trusted to be behind the wheel of a car.”
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