International poker player caused head-on car smash on wrong side of the road while twice the limit
Father-of-two Charles Chattha, 43, crashed into two cars
10:36, 30 Mar 2026Updated 12:05, 30 Mar 2026
View 2 ImagesCharles Chattha(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)
An international poker player who caused a head-on car crash while driving the wrong way along a dual carriageway has been spared jail.
Father-of-two Charles Chattha, 43, tested more than twice the alcohol limit for driving after he smashed his Nissan Juke into two other vehicles having driven in the opposite lane for more than three miles at 1am.
The driver of one of the cars suffered severe whiplash in the crash and was left unable to walk properly for several weeks. She now suffers sleepless nights and panic attacks and is fearful whenever she sees the headlights of oncoming vehicle whilst travelling at night.
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An investigation revealed Chattha, who has played at poker tournaments in Las Vegas, London, Barcelona and Prague and is said to have earned nearly £1.6m from the card game, had gone the wrong way round a roundabout in Cheshire before entering the carriageway but made no effort to turn round.
Even though he failed a roadside breath test, police took no formal reading from him either for blood or breath whilst he was being treated at hospital.
He had previous conviction for drink driving in 2016.
At Chester crown court, Chattha of Teasel Grove in Longridge near Preston, Lancs, faced up to two years in jail after admitting dangerous driving but was given 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months with 150 hours of unpaid work and five rehabilitation activity days.
The 1am incident occurred on November 10 last year when Chattha was spotted on the A556 southbound near Mere, Cheshire.
Prosecutor Jonathan Keane told the court: ''A witness driving his HGV in the opposite direction of the carriage way saw the defendant travelling at 40mph on the wrong side of the road and attempted to warn other motorists by flashing his headlights.
''The victim... was driving her Peugeot 208 along the dual carriage way with a red Alfa Romeo in front of her when she observed a set of head lights coming towards her.
''The defendant's car struck the red Alpha Romeo causing significant front end damage to that vehicle and continued on striking (the victim's) vehicle causing it to spin and rest in the central reservation. As a result of the impact (the victim) was dazed and believed to have lost consciousness for a brief period.
"There was significant damage to all the vehicles and debris was strewn across the road. (The victim) observed members of the public assisting the defendant out of the driver's seat. She sat at the side of the road and had pain in her neck and stomach and was taken to hospital suffering with whiplash, persistent headaches and chest pain and blurred vision and a haematoma to her stomach.
''Officers did go over and speak to the defendant who was lying on the floor being treated by paramedics.
They could smell alcohol on the defendant and just before 2am officers completed a roadside a breath test which he failed but there was no formal reading taken of blood or breath at the hospital.
View 2 ImagesCharles Chattha(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)
"Enquires revealed that the defendant had travelled 5.3 kilometres in the wrong direction before becoming involved in the collision. To travel in the direction the defendant would have had to drive contra to a roundabout to enter the stretch of road he did. There were several places for him to safely pull in and turn around.''
The court heard the roadside reading Chattha gave to police was 79 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35mg but the sample was classed as 'non evidential.'
When quizzed he gave a prepared statement in which he accepted being the driver.
He said he was 'unfamiliar' with the area and accepted taking a wrong turn. He said his actions were 'careless'.
In a statement the victim said: "Ever since the incident I have struggled immensely in almost every aspect of my life, physically, emotionally and psychologically. I had to take time away from work and when I returned I felt alienated.
I still have not recovered. I feel I have lost a lot of time and I was unable to walk properly for weeks.
''I had extensive pain in my back and through my body alongside headaches, muscle pain and nausea. It is made worse that I have to travel along the same stretch of road twice a day.
I fear merging on the dual carriage way. Harsh brakes or headlights of cars on the other side make me feel sick and full of dread.
"My sleep is badly affected. I had a long period of insomnia leaving me exhausted.
The loss of sleep affected my mental health. The accident has taken away many things I used to enjoy, running, going on drives with the family.
"My fiance is terrified every time I am on the road. Because of the nature of the collision, there was nothing I could have done to prevent it.
This worries us both that it could happen again and I might not be as lucky. It was the first anniversary of my father's passing.
''It had already been an extremely painful time for me. I constantly get calls from insurance companies that are not sympathetic.
It has been extremely overwhelming and upsetting to have to recount the accident."
In mitigation for Chattha who works for a child care business, defence counsel Mr Paulinus Barnes said: "He appears deeply ashamed of his behaviour and regretful of the consequences of it. He had injuries himself and required surgery and spent two nights at hospital. He lives with his partner and two children and they have another child on the way in October.
"He says this incident has had a huge impact on him physically, financially and emotionally and has now stopped drinking altogether.
He had not been aware of the impact of the other drivers until today. He is adamant that the court will never see him in the dock again.''
Article continues belowChattha was also banned from driving for 18 months. Judge Natalie Cuddy told him: ''Clearly this was a terrifying incident for the victim who suffered significant physical injuries.
She also appears to have suffered long term stress, anxiety and sleeplessness as a consequence of what she experienced as a result of your behaviour on that day.
"You were found to be twice over the legal drink drive limit and it is clear that played a part in your driving on that particular day.
However it is clear from the presentence report you recognise your culpability and you have demonstrated remorse for this offence.
''I also know that you were injured in the collision and that you required surgery and you appear to have suffered as a consequence, having sought therapy since this incident took place.
An immediate custodial sentence would have a significant impact upon children and your partner.''