Driver’s ban a ‘kick in the teeth’ after Hamble Lane crash

Allan Vincent was at home with his wife when a loud bang shook his house in Hamble Lane, Bursledon.

The 53-year-old’s Volkswagen CC ended up wedged in his neighbour’s living room after a drink driver smashed into the vehicle.

The driver, Callum Travell aged 22, was disqualified from driving for nearly two years on Tuesday.

At the time of the incident on September 10, he was found to have 66 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath, almost double the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

Despite the quick conviction, Mr Vincent said the mental impact of the accident is ongoing.

Allan Vincent outside his house, standing by his damaged car, in Hamble Lane (Image: Newsquest) He said: “My children can no longer sleep.

“My youngest regularly wakes up with nightmares, and both struggle to get to sleep of an evening.

“Both children have had support from counsellors at school, and who knows how long this event will continue to affect them?

“It feels like the punishment does not fit the crime. It feels as though the impact on us and our neighbours has been disregarded.

“This was not a case of a driver being caught over the limit and speeding, this is a case of 10 people's lives being significantly impacted by one person's actions, and them receiving what feels like a disproportionately lenient punishment.”

READ MORE: Man's shock as his car is left 'propping up' neighbour's home

For Allan and his wife Nicky, Travell made a “conscious decision” to speed in a residential area and was “lucky not to have killed himself or us”.

Allan added: “In two years his punishment will be complete, and he will move on with his life.

“Where is the deterrent to make the same poor decisions again? He should be made aware of the impact his actions have had.

“I'm disappointed in the judicial system, and disappointed that we haven't even had an apology.

“Yes, insurance will cover the material damage, but, moving forward, our premiums will be affected, the value of our house will be affected, our mental health, and the enjoyment of our much-loved home will be affected.

“It is difficult to find closure and move forward.”

(Image: Newsquest) Allan and Nicky's neighbour Mike Ellis was away for work when the crash happened, but immediately rushed home that night to his wife Lucy and children.

He said his family “still have a way to go” before their house is fully repaired.

But it has been made safe and a quote is being prepared for its repair.

Mike, who went to the city's magistrates court, said: “We believe he has learned a life lesson that will impact his future. We hope this lesson will always be remembered by him, so he doesn’t drink drive again.

“He is very lucky that no-one, including himself was hurt or worse killed, otherwise the sentence outcome would not have been so light.

“Lucy and our eight-year-old son have been affected the most by the trauma which will take time to get over.”

Travell of Mallow Close, Locks Heath, admitted careless driving and drink driving.

He was banned for 22 months and must pay fines totalling £1,060 as well as £85 court costs and a £426 surcharge.

His disqualification will be reduced by 22 weeks if he completes a drink-driving course by January 6, 2026.