A “SELFISH” drink-driver from Malmesbury who lost control of his car with children inside has been banned from the roads.

Simon Wright, aged 43, was seen erratically driving an Audi RS4 from Malmesbury to Little Somerford on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at around 4.30pm.

After overtaking two cars at the Priory roundabout near Waitrose, Wright was then spotted driving so quickly that he lost control of the vehicle.

He then skidded into oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the B4042, and collided with another car.

Emergency services attended the scene and Wright, of Parklands, Malmesbury, failed a breath test.

Officers say he was found with 89 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood - the limit is 80.

According to Wiltshire Police, there was an adult passenger in the Audi's front seat and also children seated in the back. 

The children were treated for shock but were not injured, police say. 

However, Wright sustained a number of injuries and his front seat adult passenger was also injured. 

Meanwhile, the driver and the passenger of the second vehicle were admitted to hospital but were not seriously injured.

Police have now released dash cam footage showing the moment Wright ploughs into an oncoming car on the wrong side of the B4042.

Wright appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, July 26 and pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and drink driving.

He was ordered to pay £2,000 in compensation and a £187 surcharge - a total of £2,187. 

He was also given a 18 month suspended prison sentence, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for two years.

"Selfish and mindless" 

PC Luke Hobbs, from the Roads Policing Unit, said: “This standard of driving, especially whilst under the influence of alcohol, is totally unacceptable on our roads and poses a significant danger to other road users. 

“The fact that there were young children also in the vehicle at the time does not bare thinking about.

“Dangerous driving and drink driving are two of the fatal five offences most likely to cause serious harm or death on our roads and we are 100 per cent dedicated to targeting those committing these offences in order to keep our roads safe.

“We all know alcohol can give you a false sense of confidence and unfortunately all too often we see drivers getting behind the wheel of a car having consumed alcohol under the impression they are invincible. 

“It should not take a serious collision like this to understand the serious consequences of your actions if you are one of these people.

“I am pleased that as a result of his selfish and mindless actions, Wright has been banned from our roads.”