A 30-YEAR-old dad-of-two who was more than three times the drink-drive limit when he crashed his car was lucky to walk free from court. 

Matthew Dolphin of Woodmans Drive, Droitwich, even racially abused a police officer who came to assist him. 

Aleigha Adams, prosecuting, said police and other emergency services were called to the A38 in Droitwich on June 11 this year to the scene of a crashed car. 

After failing a roadside breathalyser test Dolphin gave an evidential reading of 127mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - the legal limit being 35mcg. 

The prosecutor said on the way to the police station Dolphin has used a racist term towards PC Choudrey and called him a "Robocop terrorist". 

Worcester News: COURT: Matthew Dolphin outside Worcester Magistrates CourtCOURT: Matthew Dolphin outside Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

The officer's personal statement was read to the court in which he said he found the abuse "intolerable".

The officer requested no compensation explaining no amount of money would compensate him for "feeling like a second-rate citizen".

Dolphin had previously admitted driving when his alcohol level was above the limit and racially, religiously aggravated intentional harassment/alarm/distress - appearing at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, (August 10) to be sentenced.

Barry Newton, defending, told the court Dolphin had been drinking heavily, and had left a note that said he wanted to kill himself, before the crash in the Ford Focus. 

Mr Newton said: "Fortunately he came out of it alive. 

"Why something happened is something you will bear in mind."

He added Dolphin had "expressed remorse" for making the comments and seen his GP about his mental health issues.

Sentencing Dolphin, Deputy District Judge Daniel Church said: "Cars are a lethal weapon. 

"You put other people at risk. 

Worcester News: COURT: Dolphin's case was heard at Worcester Magistrates CourtCOURT: Dolphin's case was heard at Worcester Magistrates Court

"You have a partner and two children who rely on you. If I sent you to custody they would suffer."

The judge said the racist abuse had been targeted at a public servant who came to help him, but said he would not order compensation as he wanted to respect the officer's wishes.

He jailed Dolphin for 20 weeks, suspending it for 18 months. 

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He ordered Dolphin to complete 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and complete 90 days of alcohol abstinence. 

Dolphin was disqualified from driving for three years but was given the chance to complete the drink-drive awareness course to reduce the ban length. 

Dolphin must also pay £135 costs and £154 victim surcharge. 

 

  • Dolphin denies further charges of sexual assault on a female, assault a person thereby racially/religiously aggravated harassment/alarm or distress, 

The prosecution alleges those offences took place in Droitwich on August 28 last year.

Dolphin denied the charges at an earlier hearing. 

He was told to attend court on August 31 for the next hearing of the case.

 

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