A man has been banned from driving for two years after he was caught drink-driving on his way back from a wedding.
63-year-old Robert Deane was spotted by an off-duty police officer as he decided to “risk” driving home for a scheduled call with his wife in America.
Towards the end of the nuptial celebrations, Deane realised that he had booked his taxi for the wrong time, and wouldn’t be able to make the midnight call as he intended. After failing to get another taxi, he decided to drive his Porsche Cayenne home to make sure he was there in time.
Manchester Magistrates Court heard how an off-duty police officer saw his car weaving between lanes on the dual carriageway. She called it in to her colleagues on-duty and decided to follow Deane home. As he pulled in to his house, he nearly reversed into her when she pulled up behind him.
For the prosecution, Steve Woodman said that according to the officer she ‘noticed a vehicle in front which was veering from lane one to lane two’. “She decided to follow that vehicle,” he said.
“She followed him towards Altrincham, she could see him swerving in the road. She was on the phone to her on-duty colleagues during the entire time. She saw him drive onto the wrong side of the road and almost collide with a parked car. He managed to stop himself and continue driving.
“He arrived near his home and stopped in the middle of the road. He then reversed towards her, to which she sounded her horn to make him away of her being there, and he stopped.”
Brian Koffman, acting in Deane’s defence, said his client was “genuinely remorseful”.
“He completely understands the consequences to his actions, though he admits at the time he wasn’t aware. He also admits he had no excuse to be driving. There was a reading of 91mg, which is relatively high,” he said.
“At the time of the offence he was on his way home to phone his wife. She is a US citizen and had travelled to California to be with her mother who was dying. She was very distressed about it. He had driven to the venue but planned to get a taxi home with friends and pick his car up the next day.
“He then decided to take a risk and drive home, which he accepts he should not have done.”
Pleading guilty to drink-driving, magistrates banned Deane from driving for two years and ordered him to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
