Police draw Taser to arrest 'aggressive' drink-driver who ran from Wisbech crash

A drink-driver who crashed into the back of a vehicle being driven by a heavily pregnant woman ran from the scene.

Simas Skulmis, 27, initially hid behind a nearby building on the A47 at Wisbech but was soon picked up by police who had to draw a Taser gun due to his aggressive behaviour.

King's Lynn Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday that it happened at about 1.20pm on December 5 last year.

"Shannon Baldry was travelling on the A47 from Elme Hall roundabout in the direction of King's Lynn," said prosecutor Michael Devaney. "While she was sitting in stationary traffic near a hand car wash, she looked in her rear-view mirror and saw a Peugeot coming towards her at speed.

"The front of the Peugeot collided with Miss Baldry's Range Rover, causing what she describes as quite a big impact.

"Miss Baldry, who was seven months' pregnant at the time, was worried and dazed but managed to get out of the car."

Simak ran from the scene, crossing the road. A witness travelling behind him had seen the car swerving all over the road, almost colliding with oncoming traffic.

Simak, of Horseshoe Terrace, Wisbech, was arrested within half an hour. He was spotted walking along a nearby road.

"The defendant tried to hide behind a hedge and adopted an aggressive manner when the officer approached him," said Mr Devaney.

Simak was handcuffed and provided a positive roadside test. He later blew 72 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35.

He pleaded guilty to drink-driving, having no insurance and failing to stop after a road accident.

Mr Devaney told the court that Miss Baldry was taken to hospital and suffers numbness in a leg due to suspected nerve damage. He said she'd not been able to return to work as a pharmacy dispenser because she cannot stand for more than ten minutes without pain and discomfort.

Solicitor Charlotte Winchester, in mitigation, said Simak had drunk six cans of beer on the day after the breakdown of his relationship.

"He said he was upset and not thinking straight and went for a drive," she added. "He got lost because he had only been living in Wisbech for two months."

He'd panicked and ran from the scene because he knew he would be in trouble, Miss Winchester said.

Simak was fined £250 and disqualified from driving for 22 months, which can be cut with completion of a drink-driver rehabilitation course.

There were no separate penalties for the insurance and failing to stop offences.

He was ordered to pay £105 costs and £34 victim surcharge.