Man Admits to Wreckless Driving

A MAN from Worcester who drove without a licence, smashed a light inside a police car and was found in possession of a range of different drugs has escaped custody.
Adam Watkins, of Poplar Avenue, Brickfields, also ran away from police when they tried to arrest him outside a bowling alley.
Liam Finch, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, said Watkins, aged 20, was stopped by officers in Diglis on May 5 after they could smell cannabis.
Following a search, police found bags of cannabis worth £90 and five ketamine tablets worth £10 each.
On June 3 police officers attended Lanes bowling alley, off Bromyard Road, St John’s, after door staff said a man was being abusive.
Police arrived, searched Watkins and found a bag of white powder. Watkins said it was amphetamine.
Mr Finch said officers attempted to restrain the defendant but he resisted and ran off out of the car park. He was arrested an hour-and-a-half later and while in the police car punched an interior light in frustration.
The following day, Watkins was stopped by police after he was spotted driving a Transit van along Deansway, Worcester. Checks revealed that he had no licence or insurance.
The court was told how Watkins had 21 previous convictions including driving with no licence or insurance in 2008. He was also given a conditional discharge last year for possessing drugs.
Andy Childs, defending, told the court that his client’s offending was “at the bottom of the pyramid” in terms of seriousness.
He said: “These are not offences that worry people when they get up in the morning. But there is a level of persistence. He should go right up to the door of custody with a suspended sentence.”
Mr Childs said Watkins was an entrepreneur who was always coming up with money-making schemes such as selling potatoes door to door.
“He doesn’t have a driving licence and doesn’t think things through,” Mr Childs said.
Watkins pleaded guilty to the driving offences, possessing drugs, resisting arrest and causing criminal damage.
He was given 10 weeks’ custody suspended for two years as well as 18 month’s supervision, and was ordered to complete a thinking skills programme.
For the driving offences, he was given a 12-month ban and fined £260.
He also has to pay £75 compensation to West Mercia Police, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.