A MAN has admitted getting drunk and stealing his friend’s car before crashing it and running away.

Tendai Kabike, 26, of Whitegate Road, Southend, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, drink-driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance when he appeared at Southend Crown Court yesterday.

Prosecutor Mark Lakin told the court Kabike had been a passenger in the Renault Scenic being driven down Riviera Drive, Southchurch, on December 21.

He said: “The vehicle owner left the car for a brief moment and this defendant took the opportunity to drive it off, then crashed into another vehicle, which then crashed into another vehicle.

“He initially got away from the scene a short way, before he was stopped and brought back.”

Kabike’s barrister Gavin Burrell told judge Recorder Royall he was of previous good character and, although he had 112mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood – the limit is 80mg – he did not have a problem with alcohol and was a “social drinker.”

He said: “He is of previous good character with no previous convictions.

“This is a matter of aggravated vehicle taking and clearly the defendant’s actions were aggravated by the fact he had been drinking that evening.

“There is no issue with alcohol – Mr Kabike is a social drinker.”

Recorder Royall adjourned the hearing until the week beginning March 9 to allow for a pre-sentence review to be compiled before Kabike is sentenced.

Speaking after the hearing, Lorraine Monte, 36, recalled hearing a smash so loud when the accident took place that she thought a train had derailed. The three cars were all write-offs.

She said: “It wasn’t my car that got damaged, but he crashed all three cars so hard, so it’s good news that he’s admitted it. I’ve spoken to the council about having speed restrictions down there, but they’re taking for ever.

“Cars come racing down there so fast, somebody’s going to be killed soon.”