A driver paralysed from the waist down, who was caught driving at 80 mph while over the alcohol level, broke down in tears as a he received a suspended prison sentence.
Judge Paul Thomas said the driving by Lewis Laville, aged 21, ‘defies belief.’
And the fact that he reached 80 mph after drinking ‘was simply staggering.’
Swansea Crown Court heard how Laville drove his girlfriend’s Toyota Yaris, which had not been adapted, by using his right hand to push down on his right leg to accelerate, and using his left hand to force the leg to operate the brake.
Asked by a police officer how he would react if a child ran out in front of the car he said he didn’t know.
Laville admitted dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol in his blood and without insurance or a full licence.
He was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years, banned from driving for two years and ordered to pass an extended test to get a licence in the future.
Laville, of Powell Close, Pembroke, was also ordered to pay £900 in prosecution costs.
A breath test showed a reading of 46 compared to the legal limit of 35.
Laville told the officer he had felt suicidal.
Mr. Rees said Laville had been paralysed from the waist down since a motorcycle accident in September, 2011. Although he had access to a specially adapted motorbike, the Yaris was a standard model.
His barrister, David Williams, said: “This was clearly dangerous and aggravated by the alcohol he had consumed.
“He is impulsive and unable to think through his actions.
“These are extremely unusual circumstances and he is truly in fear of receiving an immediate prison sentence.”
Mr. Williams said Laville’s house had been adapted for his use, but he would lose the accommodation altogether if he received a jail sentence of more than 13 weeks.
Mr. Williams said Laville should receive credit for entering a plea of guilty.
Judge Thomas said it would have been ‘interesting’ to see what sort of defence he might have put forward.
Laville, who appeared in court in a wheelchair, broke down in tears as Judge Thomas told him he had come as close as he could possibly come to going into custody immediately.
Laville of all people, he added, should have appreciated what the consequences could have been for other road users.
He described his attitude as ‘appalling’, both in the police station following his arrest and at court during a previous hearing.
Judge Thomas said the court would not be blackmailed by Laville’s claims that he wanted to kill himself.
That, ultimately, was a matter for ‘you, and you alone.’
However, he would bear in mind Laville’s physical condition, that he pleaded guilty and that his driving had not led to an accident.