Alan Parvin surveys the damage

AN elderly woman was thrown from her armchair after a car smashed into the study of a Southampton house where she and her husband were relaxing.

High on drink and cocaine, William Smith was showing off his driving style to a friend as he accelerated down a road at what witnesses estimated was double the 30mph limit, Southampton Crown Court was told. But in overtaking a slower car in the face of oncoming traffic, Smith lost control of his Mitsubishi.

Prosecutor Eleanor Fargin said it struck a parked car and then careered down a grass verge, destroying the couple's front garden before careering into their home. Maureen Parvin was hurled from the chair into another part of the study. Smith and his passenger fled the scene but police found him at home some 30 minutes later.

An ambulance was called to the scene of the crash in Butts Road, Sholing, after Mrs Parvin suffered cuts and injured her back. Her husband, Alan, sustained a bruised shoulder.

The accident had also caused both of them considerable stress. The court heard that although it had happened on December 5 last year, the damage had still to be put right.

Smith, 32, of Smythe Road, Sholing, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of drink. He was jailed for eight months, banned for three years and had his car confiscated.

The court was told that he had admitted taking drugs on the day of the incident and that he had completed a 16- month ban for drink/driving less than two months before the crash.

Wayne Cleaver, defending, said Smith had shown genuine remorse and had apologised to the couple.

7:19am Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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