Friends appear in court after car crashes into tree

Two pals who left a car crashed into a tree in Purbrook Way on December 3 were in court after one drink-drove a Peugeot 207 and the other refused to tell police who was driving.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Dec 2016, 06:00 BST
Updated 29th Dec 2016, 15:12 BST
Perry Benham, 27, of Keyhaven Drive, Havant, left, who admitted drink-driving and Liam Harris, 25, also of Keyhaven Drive, who admitted failing to give information relating to the identification of a driverPerry Benham, 27, of Keyhaven Drive, Havant, left, who admitted drink-driving and Liam Harris, 25, also of Keyhaven Drive, who admitted failing to give information relating to the identification of a driver
Perry Benham, 27, of Keyhaven Drive, Havant, left, who admitted drink-driving and Liam Harris, 25, also of Keyhaven Drive, who admitted failing to give information relating to the identification of a driver

Perry Benham, 27, was twice the limit when he crashed the car, damaging two trees. He and pal Liam Harris, 25, were stop-checked by police shortly afterwards.

Officers found the keys in Benham’s pocket and the pair, both of Keyhaven Drive, Leigh Park, were questioned the next day.

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Harris refused to tell police who was driving, as did Benham initially but then admitted to police he was driving.

Magistrates fined Harris £300 with six points on his provisional licence and £115 costs to pay after he admitted failing to give information relating to the identification of a driver.

They banned Benham, who had 82mg in 100 millilitres of breath, from driving for 22 months with a £400 fine, £40 victim surcharge and £85 costs. Benham admitted drink-driving.

Simon Moger, for Benham, said: ‘He drives for a living, that’s going to affect his livelihood.’

He added Benham had a ‘difficulty recently’ after splitting with his girlfriend but that was context to the offence, not an excuse.