Worthing soldier escapes driving ban

Gunner Chris Daughtrey, 28, from East Worthing, is shipping out to Afghanistan in early April, with the Royal Artillery.

He was chased by police as he sped through Worthing, in his souped-up Ford Escort Cosworth, at around 11.40pm on Saturday, March 24.

Jacqueline Staveley, prosecuting, told Worthing magistrates on Monday, March 26, how police officers saw him failing to stop at junctions, braking harshly and wheel-spinning.

Miss Staveley said police officers followed Daughtrey with their lights flashing and sirens sounding, before they lost track of him.

He was arrested at home the following day.

Miss Staveley said previous driving offences meant further driving convictions would take endorsements on his licence over the 12-point limit, normally leading to an automatic ban.

Daughtrey, representing himself, told the court he was the sole qualified driver of specialised equipment in a surveillance unit which provided vital intelligence to ground troops.

He said his experience, gained during the war in Iraq, meant replacing him with somebody from another unit "would jeopardise other soldiers' lives".

He said he didn't want to be caught by police as he was due to begin a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan on April 5.

Daughtrey's superior officer, Lieutenant James Banks, said the defendant was "integral" to the unit and praised his "loyalty, selfless commitment and respect for others".

Commenting on the potential impact of a driving ban, he said: "Gunner Daughtrey is set to play a vital role in the deployment to Afghanistan in 10 days' time.

"It would not only be harmful to his career but affect the rest of my troop and could reduce the operational effectiveness of the whole unit."

Magistrate David Whatley accepted the mitigating circumstances of the effect a ban would have on Daughtrey's unit.

He warned: "You can never use this excuse again."

Daughtrey was fined 180 and had his licence endorsed with eight points for driving without due care and attention, taking his total points to 14.

He was also fined 180 for driving with no insurance and 180 for failing to stop when requested by a police constable.

He was also ordered to pay 43 costs.

For the full story, see the Worthing Herald.

What do you think?

Vote in our readers' poll on the homepage at www.worthingtoday.co.uk

If you would like your opinion to appear in

the Herald's Comment section, email [email protected] with your full name and address and a daytime telephone number.

Or write to Worthing Herald, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 4NA

Although details can be with-held from publication if requested, we do not publish anonymous letters.

Click here to send your feedback through the website.