A DANGEROUS drink and drug driver who crashed into a city house, seriously injuring three people, is now behind bars.

Worcester Crown Court heard Todd Richardson, of Sapphire Crescent, Worcester, will now miss the birth of his second child next year after being sent to prison by a judge on Wednesday, (October 5).

Siobhan Collins, prosecuting, said the 30-year-old had been out drinking with friends on December 19 last year and, at the end of the evening, offered to drive a friend's BMW to take them all home.

Worcester News: CRASH: Todd Richardson crashed a BMW in Bromwich Road, Worcester.CRASH: Todd Richardson crashed a BMW in Bromwich Road, Worcester. (Image: From public)

Miss Collins said friend Adam Nicholls had not believed Richardson was over the limit, so agreed he could drive the car.

There was a party of six, one getting in the boot of the BMW X6 that Richardson was uninsured to drive. 

The prosecutor said the car was caught on CCTV footage travelling at "incredible speed."

She said in Bromwich Road, St John's, the car veered off the road, crashing into a wall of a property causing "substantial damage" to the wall and two cars parked on the driveway.

Miss Collins said the BMW then went into a spin going into the next-door property, hitting the porch before coming to a rest in the front garden. 

An eyewitness then saw Richardson run from the scene.

Worcester News: JAILED: Todd Richardson outside Worcester Crown Court. Picture: Sam Greenway/NewsquestJAILED: Todd Richardson outside Worcester Crown Court. Picture: Sam Greenway/Newsquest

The court heard three people were seriously injured in the crash; Amy Russell, whose head was bleeding after the crash, suffering a cracked vertebra; Bradley Birch who suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung; and Chloe Nicholls - who had been in the boot - suffering a fractured sternum and ankle that required surgery.

The prosecutor added Richardson gave evidential specimens of 53mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, above the legal limit of 35mcg, and 13 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood, the legal limit being 10.

She added Richardson was also found to have ketamine in his system. 

Worcester News: COURT: Todd Richardson appeared at Worcester Crown CourtCOURT: Todd Richardson appeared at Worcester Crown Court

While the prosecutor was reading out one of the victim's personal statements a member of the public swore, calling them a "liar."

The judge told him to leave and ordered security to eject him from the court building. 

Jason Patel, defending, said Richardson was a "family man", previously of good character and among those supporting him in the public gallery was Mr Nicholls.

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Mr Patel said Richardson made the mistake of driving the BMW and had "panicked" after the crash.

He said Richardson was prepared to face the consequences of what he did and was regretful over what happened with it damaging long-term friendships.

 

Judge says there was a 'combination of serious factors' in Todd Richardson's case

 

Mr Patel said the drink-driving and drug readings had not been "exceptionally high" compared to other cases he had been involved in.

And he added that a pre-sentence report had said Richardson had been assessed as having only a 15 per cent chance of reoffending. 

Judge Martin Jackson said there had been a "combination of serious factors" including that the damage to the front of the BMW showed Richardson had crashed when he was travelling "far too fast", while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. 

Richardson showed no emotion as he was jailed for 32 months and given a driving ban of four years and four months.