Drunk driver who injured woman and child in Hadleigh crash jailed
He abandoned the car and ran away from the scene
Last updated 21st Jan 2025
A man has been jailed after he crashed into a car and injured a woman and child while drunk in Essex.
On the evening of Thursday 2nd May 2024, the driver of a red BMW was travelling on the A129, towards Hadleigh, when it collided with a VW Jetta at the roundabout with London Road.
The BMW driver continued without stopping and as he crossed the central reservation on the A13 in Hadleigh, he collided with 2 other cars.
He then abandoned the car and his passenger and ran away.
The driver of a VW Polo, a woman in her 20s, and her young child, were taken hospital after both suffering serious injuries.
Whilst officers carried out enquiries in London Road, the driver returned to the scene and identified himself as Sean Kirkham.
He failed a breathalyser test and was immediately arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving.
CCTV enquiries captured the red BMW speeding in the lead-up to the collision.
Sean Kirkham of Longtown Road, Brampton, Cumbria appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on 18 November 2024 where he pleaded guilty to all four charges.
He was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court last week.
In total, Sean Kirkham was jailed for 30 months for two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and ordered to pay £4000.00 compensation alongside costs.
Furthermore, he was banned from driving for 39 months for drink driving and failing to stop after a collision and will be required to re-sit his test.
PC Adem Harman said:
"Drink driving is against the law, and we will always take robust action to bring a perpetrator before the courts, so that we can keep roads safe.
Alcohol affects your judgement – you may feel safe to drive, but you’re not.
It affects your judgement and slows your responses, meaning you cannot respond to changing road conditions.
Other people should not be affected by your poor and dangerous driving."