VIDEO: Drunk Driver Leads Police On Chase Through Littlehampton

Thursday, 24 June 2021 06:00

By Jade McLean

A drunk driver who led police on a chase through Littlehampton has been jailed.

Karl White, 32, was more than twice over the alcohol limit when he drove his car on February 9.

When officers on patrol pulled up behind White they realised his number plate didn't match the make and model of the car, so pursued him.

Despite flashing him to pull over on Eldon Way, White continued driving, attempting to evade police by speeding at 60mph down a 30mph zone.

At around 5.10pm he came upon some bollards in Harwood Road at a pedestrian zone and attempted to squeeze his Citroen C8 through the gap, thus trapping his car.

You can watch the chase here:

The floor layer of no fixed address was arrested and breathalysed, which showed he had 83mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He was subsequently arrested and charged with dangerous driving, careless driving, drink-driving, driving with no licence, driving with no insurance, driving without a valid test certificate, failing to stop when required by police and possession of cannabis.

White pleaded guilty to all offences, and at Lewes Crown Court on 17 June, he was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 42 months.

The consequences of drink or drug-driving could include the following:

A minimum 12 month ban;
An unlimited fine;
A possible prison sentence;
A criminal record, which could affect your current and future employment;
An increase in your car insurance;
Trouble travelling to countries such as the USA;
You could also kill or seriously injure yourself or someone else.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug-driving, or visit the Operation Crackdown website.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online.

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs, call 999.