Drink-driver who knocked down friend avoids jail

A PARTY at a rugby club ended in serious injury when a drunk driver knocked over his friend and trapped her leg under the wheel before dragging her backwards.

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Bailey Reed had been seen “staggering and stumbling” around during the bash with friends at Kingston Park Stadium, in Newcastle, in May last year.

When they came to leave with the intention of getting a taxi into Newcastle city centre, Reed, who had taken his car there, announced he was going to drive.

The court heard his friends made repeated attempts to stop him. He ignored their pleas and got in the driver's seat, prompting four of the friends to get in the car to try to stop him driving off.