Cocaine-using Sunderland driver smashed into stationary vehicle

A cocaine-using former bank worker slammed into the back of a car stationary at roadworks after getting behind the wheel while drugged up.

Jack Jordison, 23, was so out of it he lost concentration while driving his red Audi Q2 and smashed into another vehicle in Dairy Lane, Houghton.

Shock CCTV footage from a house captured his speedy approach and lack of any attempt to brake at 2.30pm on Thursday, August 27, a court heard.

The impact shunted his victim’s motor to the other side of the road, with its shocked driver shouting at Jordison, “What the hell were you doing?”

In reply, Jordison, of Garland Terrace, Houghton, who was still in his seat, replied, “How do you think I feel, like?”

Prosecutor Emma O’Hegarty said he may then have suffered a seizure and was treated at the scene and taken to hospital.

Mrs O’Hegarty told magistrates in South Tyneside police suspected they could smell booze on Jordison, but he passed a breath test.

But she confirmed a blood test taken in hospital proved positive for cocaine derivative Benzoylecgonine.

She said: “The witness was a front seat passenger in a vehicle heading west and which stopped at temporary road works.

“Behind was a red Hyundai, and the witness has seen a blue vehicle coming up behind at speed.

“There was no attempt to slow down and he hit the back of the vehicle, which forced it to cross over the road.”

Mrs O’Hegarty said it was then Jordison and the victim's short verbal exchange took place.

The court heard Jordison’s sample showed he had a proportion of Benzoylecgonine in 100mls of blood greater than the legal limit of 200mcgs.

Angus Westgarth, defending, said: “His car was written off and he had to pay an excess.

“He was made redundant from Barclays, and he and his partner split up at the same time.

“He became depressed. The drugs had been in his system a while. He made a lot of mistakes during this period.”

Jordison pleaded guilty to drug driving and driving without due care and attention and was banned from the roads for a year.

District Judge Kathryn Meek also fined him £525, with £85 court costs and a £53 victim surcharge.