Scaffolder smashes BMW into Hotwells pub before attacking a police officer after argument with girlfriend

A scaffolder has been banned from driving for a year after crashing his BMW into a pub in Hotwells while over the alcohol limit - and then attacking a police officer.

Tyler Barry told police he had been driving ‘due to an argument with his girlfriend’ following the incident at the Merchants Arms, in Merchants Road, in the early hours of July 25 this year.

He also assaulted a police officer and a detention officer at Keynsham Police Station following his arrest.

Appearing at Bristol Magistrates’ Court today (November 11), the 21-year-old, of Broadoak Hill, Dundry, said it was ‘stupid of me’ after pleading guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit.

At an earlier hearing he pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting an emergency worker.

Prosecuting, Mr Richard Nicholls, said Barry had been driving a white BMW when he lost control and mounted a pavement before hitting the pub.

“Hearing the crash, nearby residents saw the defendant by the car door on his phone,” said Mr Nicholls.

Police attended and found the keys to the car in Barry’s pocket. Officers also smelt alcohol on the defendant.

When breathalysed, he was found to have 49 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the drink drive limit is 35.

Mr Nicholls said: “He accepted that he was the driver and he had lost control of the vehicle.

“He said he was driving due to an argument with his girlfriend.”

Defending himself, Barry, who earns £300 a week as a scaffolder and was accompanied in court by his father, said: “It was a stupid of me.”

District Judge Joanna Dickens disqualified Barry from driving for a year and said: “You are still a very young man. I accept it was a stupid decision but it has consequences.”

She also fined him £250 and ordered him to pay costs of £85 and a £35 victim surcharge.

Barry was given a conditional caution for the assaults on the two emergency workers.