Christchurch man handed 36-month disqualification after crashing under influence of alcohol with son in car

A father has been handed a ban after drink-driving with his young child in the car.

Adam Gibney, 39, of Shrubbery Close in Christchurch, was hit with a ban of more than two years after crashing while over the alcohol limit with his young son in the car.

Prosecutor Anna Crayford, told the courts that just before 1am on August 23 last year, police were called to Molls drove in Friday Bridge after Gibney crashed his Lexis RX450 into a property.

Fire services were already at the scene and the wall of the house had collapsed.

Gibney’s son who is aged between three and four was in the car. Ms Crayford told the court that he admitted to the police he was the driver of the vehicle on their arrival.

The entire front of the car was damaged. The courts also heard that Gibney’s speech was slurred.

Both the defendant and his son were assessed at the scene and fortunately contained no injuries.

Ms Crayford said the son was in a distressed state with having been removed from his father and calls were made for the son to be picked up.

The crash also caused damage to drain pipes and a telegraph pole.

Mitigating was Andrew Cogan, who said Gibney accepted the incident and the only reason the child was in the vehicle was he was having difficulties sleeping.

Gibney decided to take him out for a drive to get him to sleep.

Mr Cogan told the court he had only had two to three cans of beer at home. He said the car skidded out of control when he braked. A test showed 94mg in 100ml of blood, which was above the 80ml limit.

Magistrates handed Gibney a 36-month disqualification with a £500 fine.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £200 victim surcharge.