'Racing' Chesterfield drunk driver who smashed into lorry at Whittington Moor roundabout had three-year-old child in car

Declan Webster, 32, had his partner and a three-year-old child in his car at the time of the smash, a court heard.

Prosecutor Becky Allsop told Chesterfield Magistrates Court it was “extreme good fortune that no-one was injured”.

Magistrates heard how on August 5 last year Webster and two co-defendants - brothers Michael and Robert Bower - were seen “racing each other” along Brimington Road North.

Before getting into their cars the three men had spent seven hours drinking together at a pub - with Robert consuming six pints and Michael polishing off five.

Michael was seen overtaking brother Robert at 71mph in the lead-up to the collision – at about 9.30pm.

Ms Allsop told the court the offence was in a high category due to the alcohol and “prolonged” bad driving.

Webster, of West Street, Chesterfield, Robert Bower, 33, of Corner Pin Close, Staveley, and Michael Bower, 27, of Hyndley Road, Bolsover, all admitted dangerous driving.

A magistrate - noting the court’s sentencing powers were “insufficient” at a maximum of six month’s imprisonment - told all three defendants they would be sentenced at Derby Crown Court.

He said: “This is so serious it can only be heard at crown court.”

All three were bailed unconditionally and one of the defendants - who had driven to the court - was told he would have to leave his car behind.

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