‘Reckless’ driver high on drugs

A MOTORING menace who went on a road rampage while high on drugs has walked from court with a suspended jail sentence.

Anthony Madden (31), of Leamington Street, Oldham, was caught by police in December, 2007, after his dangerous driving resulted in him crashing into a central reservation.

CCTV footage showed Madden in a Ford Mondeo in the wrong lane, before driving on to a traffic island in the central reservation.

He claimed that it was his brother who was driving, but when shown the footage he admitted it was him.

A breathalyser test was negative, but community support officers said he was restless and refused to answer any questions.

He was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital, where it was found he had a mixture of drugs in his system.

Madden, who caused £1,560 worth of damage to the road barriers, pleaded guilty at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, to dangerous driving and also admitted having no driving licence or insurance.

He was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for 18 months. He will have to take an extended driving test when he wants to obtain a licence.

Madden has a string of previous convictions dating back to 1995, including driving while disqualified and without insurance.

The court heard that Madden has learning difficulties and drug and alcohol problems, while there is a care plan in place for social workers to work with him.

Passing sentence, Judge Jonathan Geake said: “Your behaviour is reckless and careless and you should not have been driving in that way.”