The moment a drug driver smashed into a shop on a Swindon street has been revealed in new CCTV footage.

31-year-old Liam Wells, of The Circle, Swindon, was being chased by police officers on Cricklade Road March 4, 2023, when he accelerated from 10mph to 78mph and swerved across the road into a shop.

The major crash, which saw debris fly across the road, is estimated to have caused £100,000 damage to Michael’s Workwear, and left the driver unconscious.

Swindon Advertiser: The remains of Liam Wells' black Honda CivicThe remains of Liam Wells' black Honda Civic (Image: Dave Cox)

Officers warned that if the black Honda Civic had hit the busy takeaway next door, there would likely have been multiple fatalities.

Now, Wiltshire Police have released shocking CCTV footage showing the moment it happened.

On October 30, Wells was sentenced to a suspended prison sentence and banned from driving for two years at Swindon Crown Court.

The court heard how Wells first came to the attention of police officers when he was seen driving without lights in Pinehurst Road in Swindon.

Not only did Wells fail to stop when he was being chased by a police car, but he then proceeded to rapidly accelerate and lose control of his car.

Swindon Advertiser: The shopfront was left completely smashed.The shopfront was left completely smashed. (Image: Newsquest)

“Wells showed complete disregard to members of the public when he decided to drive away from officers at speeds far exceeding the limit for the roads he was on,” said PC Sean Williams of the Wiltshire Police Serious Collision Investigation Team.

“It was a matter of luck that someone was not seriously hurt in this collision. The car crashed next door to a takeaway with numerous people inside at the time.

“When I approached the scene shortly after the collision, I was fully expecting to be confronted by at least one fatality,” he added.

The speed limit on Cricklade Road, where the major crash took place, is 30mph.

Speaking at the sentencing, Judge Jason Taylor KC told Wells: “It was extremely fortunate you did not hit the pizza shop next door which the officers noted had a number of customers within.

“You were knocked unconscious, but it could have been very different.”

Although Wells was tested for drug use at the time and found to be negative, he later admitted to officers that he had used cocaine, and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug driving, driving uninsured and without a licence.

“The aggravating features are mitigated by your co-operation and your full admissions and genuine remorse,” added Judge Taylor KC.

Liam Wells has now been sentenced to a 16 month custody suspended for two years, two years of driving disqualification with a requirement to pass an extended driving test, 30 months of rehabilitation activity, a ‘thinking skills’ programme and £425 of court costs.