Man drives car into village pub (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Man drives car into village pub

The Bell Inn in Broad Hinton Picture Ref:18916-52.A MAN who drove a stolen car into a country pub as he tried to escape police has been sent to jail. Terry Embling, 36, of Sheppard Street, Swindon, crashed the Austin Metro car into the Bell Inn in Broad Hinton after a high-speed police chase.

He was sentenced to nine months in prison at Swindon magistrates' court yesterday for aggravated vehicle taking and a number of other offences.

Embling also pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, one of being drunk and disorderly, failure to drive in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.

He was also in breach of a conditional discharge handed to him in September 2004 for four counts of theft, one deception and possession of an offensive weapon.

One of the thefts was of a collection box, which was raising money for young cancer victim Charlie Jarvis who passed away earlier this year.

The court heard how Embling was spotted in the stolen Metro, which was taken in Gwent, in Broad Hinton by PC Joe Sztucki.

The police tried to get Embling to stop but instead he put his foot to the floor and tried to get away.

After a chase through the village, with members of the public watching on in horror, Embling careered across a junction before smashing in to the pub.

Prosecuting Frank Murphy, said: "Sebastian Mead who was living at the pub heard a loud crash and felt the building shake.

"As a result there has been structural damage to the pub and damage to property outside the pub."

Defending Lee Mott said that his client, who has more than 25 previous convictions, had suffered from a number of addictions, including alcohol.

Embling has been in custody since July 19 and Mr Mott said the benefits were already evident and further time in jail would help him get over his demons.

"Mr Embling is benefiting from his time in custody," he said.

"It may be when he is released that his underlying problems will be under control.

"He is making an effort to better himself while he is in custody.

"Were he released today it may be that a lot of that good work is undone, ironically enough."

Sentencing him to a total of nine months in prison for the offences chairman of the bench, Peter Wells, told him: "The taking of the vehicle has been aggravated by the fact that there was a police pursuit, there was a danger to the public who were in the vicinity and there was damage to the public house."

Embling had also been banned from driving for 12 months.

No award for court costs or compensation was made.

Gareth Bethell