Drunken private-hire driver 'nearly killed' four-year-old girl and gran after mounting pavementA drunken private-hire driver ‘nearly killed’ a four-year-old girl and her gran after mounting the pavement.
Sue Brown threw her granddaughter out of harm’s way and dived on top of the child to protect her as David Quarless whizzed past.
The private hire driver, of Olney Street, Walton, left “a trail of destruction” while more than two times over the limit.
Liverpool Crown Court heard the on-duty 55-year-old driver got into his Ford Focus after drinking four pints at the Saddle Inn in Liscard on September 22.
The dad-of-two left the pub at 3.30pm and headed to Rake Lane, where he crashed into motorbikes outside Wallasey Motorcycles, causing £4,000 of damage.
Derek Jones, prosecuting, said the store’s owner ran out and when he saw the car driving off, jumped on a motorbike and followed him.
Quarless reached the road’s junction with Queen Street, where Julie McDermott was sitting waiting in her Lexus.
Mr Jones said he crashed into her car head-on, before driving off towards Grosvenor Street.
Mrs Brown, 57, was walking her granddaughter home from school and was outside Grosvenor Ballroom community centre.
The gran heard the car turn into the street, later telling police: “He was totally out of control.”
She realised he was going to mount the pavement, so picked the child up, “threw her towards the wall out of the way” and shielded her.
Mr Jones said the brave gran “felt the wind of the car as it went past her”.
Quarless continued down the road until he got out and started to push his vehicle.
A passer-by confronted Quarless and said “you just nearly killed that woman” but he replied: “F*** that, give me a push.”
An off-duty police officer heard what happened and chased the cabbie on foot.
He arrested him with the help of other officers, after Quarless said: “I’ve had a few drinks. Just leave me alone, I’m ruined now.”
Mrs Brown and her grandaughter were taken to hospital for treatment, but only suffered cuts and grazes.
The court heard the little girl was too upset to talk to paramedics when they arrived at the scene.
Mr Jones said the value of damage to the Lexus, whose driver escaped unscathed, was unknown.
Quarless, who was earlier drinking at home, had 82mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 35mg.
The cabbie, who has no previous convictions, admitted dangerous driving and drink driving. He has left his job.
Charles Lander, defending, said his client had a heated argument with his partner about their eldest child’s school attendance.
He said Quarless was upset and went out drinking, leading to an incident he deeply regretted and could not explain.
The judge, Recorder William Waldron, QC, said Quarless left “a trail of destruction”.
He praised Mrs Brown’s heroic actions, adding: “Her act of selflessness contrasted with your selfishness – you deciding to drink and then drive.”
Recorder Waldron jailed Quarless for six months and banned him from the road for three years.
source:
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liv ... d-12158838
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