Banned drunk driver tried to flee after crash in Norwich

Francis Mwamba, 36, threw away his car keys and tried to flee the scene to avoid being caught after crashing on Marl Pit Lane in Norwich.

Homeowners heard a loud bang and rushed out to discover the wall demolished by his Kia car in a collision on May 23.

Francis Mwamba was three times the limit when he crashed into wall on Marl Pit Lane (Image: Google)

The Congolese father-of-four, of Lusher Rise in Norwich, had initially tried to drive off but when the wrecked car failed to move he walked away stating “what have I done? I’m sorry”.

When police arrived a roadside test saw him blow 109 mg of alcohol - three times the limit.

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Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told at the time he was banned from being behind the wheel after receiving a 18-month suspended prison sentence for drink driving and driving without a licence in 2022.

It was the latest in a string of similar offences including being jailed in 2015 for drink driving, said prosecutor Emma Pocknell.

Magistrates told him he has an “atrocious driving record which is one of the worst we have ever seen".

Francis Mwamba was given a suspended sentence and banned from driving until 2028 (Image: Newsquest)

They disqualified him from driving until September 2028 and sentenced him to eight weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months because he had “taken steps to address problems with alcohol”. 

“If you had not we would be taking a very different path,” they told him. 

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Simon Collingham, mitigating, said his “quite appalling record” was the result of a “complete failure to accept he has a drink problem”. 

He has since stopped drinking and was seeking help from charity Change Grow Live and a therapist to address his issues.

“He is a loving caring father who wants to get back to being a positive member of society,” he added.