Suicidal drink-driver crashed at Herbrand Walk

A SUICIDAL man crashed his car in Bexhill after downing a whole bottle of vodka en route to Beachy Head, a court heard.

Henry Francis Schwaiger, of the Southcliff Hotel, Eastbourne, had called into Tesco in Uckfield to buy the drink whilst on his way to the notorious suicide spot on January 9.

Shortly after consuming the drink, his blue Volkswagen Polo was spotted speeding in Herbrand Walk before the car clipped another vehicle, hit a tree and rolled over.

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Emergency services were called to the scene and paramedics treated Schwaiger, who was bleeding heavily from an injury to his right arm, before he was taken to hospital.

Tests revealed Schwaiger had 142mcg of alcohol in 100ml of blood - the legal limit is just 80mcg.

He was arrested on February 25 and told police he couldn’t remember what happened after drinking the vodka.

Jeremy King, prosecuting, said: “Mr Schwaiger said he remembered nothing else until hearing shattering glass and a burning pain in his right arm.

“The next thing he remembered was waking up in hospital.

“He is a recovering alcoholic with a history of depression.

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“In interview, he said he was very remorseful over what happened and was grateful no-one else was injured.”

Schwaiger pleaded guilty to one charge of drink driving at a hearing at Hastings Magistrates Court last month.

Mark Glendenning, defending, said: “Mr Schwaiger has a long history of alcohol abuse.

“He had been in a relationship before that incident.

“That relationship failed and it hit him badly.

“He accepts he was driving with excess alcohol.”

Mr Glendenning said that after the incident, Schwaiger had shown “genuine, unreserved remorse”.

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He added: “He has continued to struggle to deal with his depression and treatment for that is ongoing.”

Magistrates banned Schwaiger from driving for three years and fined him £75.

No court costs were ordered, but he must pay a £15 victim surcharge.