Driver jailed after cycle shop smash (From Kingston Guardian)

Driver jailed after Surbiton cycle shop smash

7:00am Friday 6th July 2012 in News By Nazia Dewji, Reporter

A driver who crashed into the front window of two Surbiton shops following a police car chase has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Luke Dowd, 23, from Ottways Lane, Ashtead, smashed his black Volkswagen Golf into Cycleopedia, a bike shop, and Feedwell Cafe in Ewell Road in the early hours of Sunday, March 11, this year.

Scraps of metal, bricks and broken glass were strewn across the road and a bench was destroyed in the accident that saw residents evacuated at 5am and the road closed for five hours.

Dowd was taken to hospital with head injuries that were understood not to be life-threatening at the time.

He was convicted of driving a car while unfit to drive due to alcohol, dangerous driving and failing to stop when required to do so at Kingston Crown Court on June 21.

He has also been disqualified from driving for three years and 10 months.

Four months later, Feedwell Cafe remains closed, while the front of Cycleopedia is still boarded up with customers previously encouraged to use the back door.

The engine of the vehicle was found at the back of the bike shop after the crash.

Cycleopedia owner Peter Crane said: "I am glad I didn’t have to go to court. I have no personal view on the matter [sentencing]. I have more important things to worry about in my life than damage to a shop.

"It has been frustrating, but we are getting there.

"Insurance has given the go-ahead so builders are meant to start this week."