Suspended sentence for drunken boss in car crash

James Anthony Old, 34, who was trapped unconscious in the wreckage, was given a suspended jail sentence yesterday after admitting dangerous driving in his Porsche 911.

The court heard Old, managing director of an e-commerce company, based at Station Bridge, Harrogate, had been on a works outing with colleagues.

A taxi had been booked to take him and his sister to his home in Mire Syke Lane, Scotton, near Knaresborough, but the cabbie demanded 13 upfront.

This had led to a row. Police were called and there were problems with a second taxi.

The court heard Old, who had recently learned his father had cancer, had always been protective of his sister and wanted to help her. Not thinking straight, he had got into his car and driven off.

Prosecutor Steven Ovenden said the car was travelling at 58-71mph before it hit a wall at Forest Lane Head, Starbeck in the early hours of July 29. Blood tests showed an alcohol level of 221 milligrams compared with the limit of 80.

In mitigation, Geoffrey Rogers said it had been his client's first social outing for months after caring for his sick wife.

Old was given a 12-week sentence suspended for a year, ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work, observe a weekend curfew for 12 weeks, and pay 85 costs. He was banned from driving for two years.