A MAN from the Malmesbury area who has been driving without a valid licence for years has been given a hefty fine after crashing into his neighbour’s car while drink driving.

Robin Outlaw, aged 59, of North End Gardens, Sherston, pleaded guilty to drink driving, driving without insurance and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, August 20.

On Wednesday, July 31, Outlaw’s neighbour was watching television when she heard a loud bang and looked out her window to see Outlaw crashing into another neighbour’s car in North End Gardens. 

He was disqualified from driving for 22 months.

Robin Outlaw, 59, of North End Gardens, Sherston, pleaded guilty to multiple driving offences  (Image: Newsquest)

She told the court she watched him reverse his car backwards into a hedge and drove off round the corner, where he parked up and returned to the scene.

The court heard the neighbour then went outside and saw Outlaw leaning against a wall where he appeared to be unable to walk in a straight line and he said "the incident was his fault".

When the police arrived, it took three attempts to breathalyse him and they eventually recorded a reading of 83 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - more than double the legal limit of 35.

The court heard how Outlaw had previously held a full licence but was issued a two-year ban for dangerous driving in December 2000 and was ordered to retake his test but never did, meaning he had been driving for more than two decades on a provisional licence.

In mitigation Mr Glendenning said Outlaw accepted full responsibility for his actions during his police interview, admitting he should not have been driving but he knew that was no excuse for his behaviour.

He told officers that he had been drinking to deal with his grief after his brother, who he was very close with, passed away two days earlier and said he was also upset after being served a notice of eviction from his home, as the landlord had decided to sell the property.

Mr Glendenning said: “The problems Mr Outlaw had at that time caused him to act in that way.”

Outlaw, who the court was told is a gardener, has two previous convictions related to alcohol but says he does not rely on drinking and he has already made arrangements to reimburse the neighbour, who he has a good relationship with, for the damaged vehicle.

He must also pay a fine of £933, a surcharge fee of £373 and court costs of £85 – totalling £1,391.