A Sandown man charged with several driving offences undertook a 9-week rehabilitation course at his own expense, the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court heard yesterday (Friday).
42-year-old Richard Stephen Higgs of St John’s Road, Sandown, appeared before Magistrates charged with driving a motor vehicle without a license, driving without insurance, possessing a Class C drug, and failing to stop after an accident following an incident in December of last year.
The court heard that Higgs had been driving his green coloured Peugeot 406 on St John’s Road, Sandown, when he crashed into a parked car, as previously reported by Island Echo.
According to Oscar Vincent, representing, Higgs remained at the scene for a short time after the accident before becoming anxious due to the growing number of people at the scene. It was at this point that he left the scene before the Police arrived.
Upon their arrival, officers found 2 empty vodka bottles in Higgs’ vehicle, alongside a bag containing 30 blue pills – which were later found to be benzodiazepines, used for controlling anxiety – and a small bag of white powder.
Higgs, who has a history of anxiety but no previous convictions, handed himself in to police the following day, and according to officers was fully cooperative and remorseful for his actions. He claimed that at the time of the incident, he was neither under the influence of drugs or alcohol and that the benzodiazepines were bought on the internet for personal use to control his anxiety despite not being prescribed.
Before sentencing, Magistrates were told how Higgs’ sister paid for him to undertake a 9-week residential rehabilitation course to help him cut his reliance on the drug to the cost of £11,000, and as a result, he is now free of his reliance on it.
Higgs pleaded guilty to all 4 offences and was handed a driving disqualification for 6 months, alongside a 12 month conditional discharge. He was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, £85 in costs, and a £34 surcharge.
Absolute bullshit he bought he way out of that 1 then didn’t he. What about the damage caused to other persons car not insured so hasn’t paid for that has he. Outrageous.