Drink-driver who crashed his boss' car in 'amazingly stupid' cruise on M1 near Northampton spared jail

A drink-driver who crashed his boss' car and skidded across three lanes of the M1 near Northampton has been spared jail.

Troy Smith, 21, of Simpson Road, Bletchley, collided with the central reservation while on a drunken cruise while his friend filmed him from the passenger seat.

In fact, two videos played at his sentencing at Northampton Crown Court yesterday (January 14) showed Smith stopping on the M1 to urinate - while the second video showed him laughing at officers while sat on the hard shoulder next to his wrecked vehicle.

After watching the footage, His Honour Judge Rupert Mayo said he was "speechless" and branded Smith "reckless, selfish and unbelievable".

The Judge said: "It was shortly after the full lockdown was imposed on the country in April last year you drove your employer's car in an amazingly irresponsible way on the M1 southbound that resulted in your car striking the central reservation and crossing back across all three lanes of the carriage way on its roof."

The court heard how a witness saw Smith driving at around 75-80mph on a 50mph stretch of the motorway before the crash.

Mr Philip Plant, prosecuting, told the court: "The car skidded across all three lanes of the motorway, crashed into the central reservation, which caused the car to flip onto its roof."

One video played to the court showed Smith and his friend aping about behind the wheel, stopping on the hard shoulder to urinate and drunkenly laughing.

The next video, recorded from the hard shoulder of the M1, shows the pair after the crash receiving medical assistance while the car is upside down in the nearside lane.

One officer in the video can be heard saying: "A good amount, that's how much you have had to drink, isn't it?"

Smith's passenger was also heard in the video saying the pair were "drinking, it was lockdown and there was nothing else to do".

The offenders were taken to hospital, where Smith tested at three times over the limit for alcohol.

However, despite warning that he was facing an immediate custodial sentence, the Judge was moved to spare Smith from prison after hearing his testimonial.

Smith, who represented himself in court, said: "I really do regret what I did. It was the first time I did it. It was an out-of-the-blue thing... I was looking for a reason to get out.

"It's caused a lot of problems. It was my boss' car. I have had to pay my boss back monthly."

Judge Mayo then asked why Smith chose to drink and drive.

Smith replied: "I just felt peer pressure. I didn't want to drive but my mate said he needed to be back at six at the YMCA in Milton Keynes."

He went on to say: "If I go to prison I will probably lose contact with my family. I will definitely lose my apprenticeship."

In sentencing, Judge Mayo scolded Smith and the friend's behaviour as "selfish", "immensely stupid' and "astonishingly irresponsible".

However, the judge concluded: "I have to consider whether the prospect of rehabilitation for you is better if I suspend this sentence.

"And I find - just - that it is appropriate because of the maturity you have shown since the offence and the fact that in all other respects you have a good future."

Smith was sentenced to a total of nine months in prison suspended for 18 months, disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to attend rehabilitation activities.