Milton Keynes drink-driver avoids jail after 'amazingly stupid' crash on M1

The judge was left 'speechless' by the footage showing the Milton Keynes man laughing in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

Troy Smith, 21, of Simpson Road, Bletchley crashed his boss' car on the M1 near Northampton, causing the vehicle to flip over and then skid across three lanes.

Smith hit the central reservation while on a drunken joyride which was filmed by his friend from the passenger's seat.

Two videos played at his sentencing at Northampton Crown Court on January 14. The first showed Smith stopping the car to urinate on the M1, the second showed him laughing at officers next to the 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 carriageway 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 stopping on the hard shoulder laughing while drunkenly urinating.

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.