A bus driver who crashed his car on the M62 before falling asleep on the back seat was described by a police officer as the worst drink-driver he had seen in 20 years.
Philip Gabriel, 34, who worked for a Brighouse firm, collided with the central barrier on the eastbound carriageway at junction 26 near Cleckheaton late on January 16.
Two officers on duty on the motorway at 11.35pm discovered Gabriel’s Ford Focus at the top of the entry slip road for Chain Bar roundabout.
Despite the damage Gabriel had tried to continue his journey but the officers then discovered him asleep in his car.
Naakesha Seth, prosecuting, told Kirklees Magistrates’ Court: “The officers saw vomit by the door and he was asleep on the back seat.
“They tried to wake him up and became aware of the overwhelming smell of intoxicants.
“He was so drunk that he had to be escorted to the police van and he vomited in the van and in the custody area.
“The officer said that he’s been a police officer for 20 years and this is the most drunk person he’s come across while trying to process somebody for drink-driving.”
Magistrates heard that Gabriel, who had been working as a driver for Brighouse-based Ladies Only Travel, was taken to West Yorkshire Police’s Leeds District Headquarters on Elland Road in the city.
There he insulted staff, making derogatory comments about the appearance of one mixed heritage police officer.
Magistrates heard that Gabriel was found guilty after a trial of failing to provide a specimen for analysis and racially-aggravated harassment.
They were told about a second incident in the Wakefield area on May 25 when he lost control while negotiating a bend and hit a Land Rover.
Gabriel’s vehicle then overturned and stuck another car.
He then refused to provide a blood sample for police after being taken to Leeds General Infirmary, claiming that he had a needle phobia.
Magistrates heard that the father-of-six had a large number of driving-related offences on his record, including convictions for driving whilst disqualified and dangerous driving.
Gabriel, who was not represented, said that on the day he had been to a party organised by his employers and only drunk half a lager.
He claimed that he lost control of his car after sliding on some ice.
But chairman Wayne Perriman told him: “You could have killed somebody quite easily.
“All of this comes despite your professional status as a bus driver and that is particularly unacceptable.”
Gabriel, of Thackerary Road in Bradford, was handed a six-month suspended jail term.
He must complete 300 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for three years.
