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Banned offender who drove 'like maniac' around Dublin is jailed
Summary
James Colton, a 43‑year‑old repeat offender, was jailed for 15 months after a dangerous driving incident in Dublin. In September 2022, a passerby found him unconscious in his car in Crumlin and, after rousing him, Colton drove at high speed, "like a maniac", around Crumlin and Sundrive. He drove over 100 km/h, on the wrong side of the road, and mounted the kerb, narrowly missing a cyclist before crashing into a parked van and causing €11,150 in damage. Colton, who had been disqualified from driving and had 76 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to three counts of dangerous driving, one of driving without a licence, one of criminal damage and one of failing to report the incident. The court noted his long‑standing drug addiction and that he was under the influence of intoxicants on the day. Judge Martin Nolan, taking mitigating factors into account, sentenced him to 15 months' imprisonment and a five‑year driving disqualification.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Banned offender who drove 'like maniac' around Dublin is jailed. Charges or matters: three counts of dangerous driving, one count of driving without a licence, one count of criminal damage and one count of failing to report a traffic incident on September 29, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 29, 2022 Incident
- 2025-10-07 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of dangerous driving, one count of driving without a licence, one count of criminal damage and one count of failing to report a traffic incident on September 29, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said Colton had been taking intoxicants and appeared dead to the passerby on the day in question. "It seems he wasn't dead and he spurted to life and drove off in his car in a dangerous and reckless way," the judge said. He sentenced him to 15 months' imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for a period of five years.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence
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