Drug driver pleads guilty after hitting car with young child on board

A Swindon man has been disqualified from driving for a year after pleading guilty to drug driving.

Ryan Deverell, aged 26, of Marlowe Avenue, Swindon, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on 19 December.

On the afternoon of 25 September 2018, we received a call from a woman reporting that Deverell had crashed into her car when reversing out of his driveway. 

He then got out of his vehicle, made threats towards her and punched his own car window. 

The woman had her friend and her friend’s five-year-old daughter in the car at the time of the incident.  Fortunately, none of them were injured but they were suffering with shock.

Officers attended the scene, located Deverell inside his address with minor cuts to his hand and conducted a breath test and drug wipe test. He was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and section 4 public order and taken to custody. 

Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to both offences and as well as being disqualified from driving, he was fined £90, ordered to pay costs of £45 and a victim surcharge of £30.

PC Jonathan Kilburn said: “Driving while under the influence of drugs reduces your ability to drive safely.

“If you know someone who regularly drives on drugs, please call us on 101 and tell us as much information as possible, such as a description of the drive, car registration, the time and day, and the location they are heading.

“Drug driving not only puts your own life at risk, it also puts the lives of other road users, your passengers and pedestrians at risk. Please think before getting behind the wheel of a car and ensure you are fit to do so.”