Banned drinker drove into pub

A 36-year-old man has admitted driving his car into a pub causing damage put at £300,000.

Stephen Lewry crashed his Vauxhall Cavalier into the Lord Arthur Lee in West Street, Fareham, Hampshire, on 6 May 2003.

Lewry, of Biggin Walk, Fareham, pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court to charges of driving dangerously, damaging property and being reckless as to whether lives of staff and customers were endangered at the pub.

Police believe the incident may have been sparked by a ban on Lewry imposed by the pub two days earlier.

Had there been more people in the pub at the time there's a distinct possibility someone could have been killed Inspector Simon Wrigglesworth

Pub chain JD Wetherspoon, which owns the Lord Arthur Lee, estimated the repair bill was £300,000.

His car careered into tables and chairs, smashing a deviding rail before coming to a halt, according to police.

Lewry attempted to flee the scene but was held by members of the public until police arrived.

During his court appearance, he also pleaded guilty to damaging a door at the pub on 5 May.

Inspector Simon Wrigglesworth said: "It was a completely bizarre incident and a very serious and frightening one.

"It was a deliberate incident to cause as much mayhem and damage as possible."

The case was adjourned for reports with sentencing expected to take place on 3 October.