OXYGEN
09/03/2005, 11h00
A SUICIDAL motorist tried to kill himself by driving into a wall, two lampposts and a telegraph pole.
Sean Whiteman, 35, formerly of Bayham Road, tore around the road like a 'lunatic', causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
He told police he was doing a 'demolition job' and admitted he was trying to take his own life.
Whiteman pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage, which caused more than £4,500 damage.
Alison May, prosecuting, said, 'A woman who lived in Bayham Road saw a Ford Escort crash into her garden wall.
'She then saw the car reverse and drive into a lamppost.
'The car then sped off at high speed and hit another lamppost.
'She said the driver was driving like a lunatic and it looked as if he was deliberately crashing into things.
'Soon after, police saw him with the vehicle in Mill Road, and he told an officer, 'I started a demolition job in the road.
'I wanted to kill myself.'
He was arrested and told police he suffered depression and had not been taking his medication.
Peter Fernando, defending, said, 'He has apologised for the damage he has caused.
'He was suffering depression at the time and in the last two years he has suffered some very traumatic events.
'His nan died two years ago and his aunt also died when she was the victim of a burglary - she was bludgeoned to death.
'His father has also been diagnosed with cancer.
'He was prescibed Prozac and he felt better a week before this offence and stopped taking it.'
Whiteman now lives in Heathfield and has separated from his wife.
He had lost his job as a lorry driver and is now a van driver.
The case was adjourned until April 12 for the probation service to compile a report.
on Whiteman.
He will not be jailed for the offences because magistrates have decided to limit the future sentence to a community based penalty.
08 March 2005
Sean Whiteman, 35, formerly of Bayham Road, tore around the road like a 'lunatic', causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
He told police he was doing a 'demolition job' and admitted he was trying to take his own life.
Whiteman pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage, which caused more than £4,500 damage.
Alison May, prosecuting, said, 'A woman who lived in Bayham Road saw a Ford Escort crash into her garden wall.
'She then saw the car reverse and drive into a lamppost.
'The car then sped off at high speed and hit another lamppost.
'She said the driver was driving like a lunatic and it looked as if he was deliberately crashing into things.
'Soon after, police saw him with the vehicle in Mill Road, and he told an officer, 'I started a demolition job in the road.
'I wanted to kill myself.'
He was arrested and told police he suffered depression and had not been taking his medication.
Peter Fernando, defending, said, 'He has apologised for the damage he has caused.
'He was suffering depression at the time and in the last two years he has suffered some very traumatic events.
'His nan died two years ago and his aunt also died when she was the victim of a burglary - she was bludgeoned to death.
'His father has also been diagnosed with cancer.
'He was prescibed Prozac and he felt better a week before this offence and stopped taking it.'
Whiteman now lives in Heathfield and has separated from his wife.
He had lost his job as a lorry driver and is now a van driver.
The case was adjourned until April 12 for the probation service to compile a report.
on Whiteman.
He will not be jailed for the offences because magistrates have decided to limit the future sentence to a community based penalty.
08 March 2005