Chris Tarrant, presenter of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”, has been banned from driving for a year after pleading guilty to drink-driving.
Magistrates in Reading heard how the TV & Radio personality had been in a pub near his home from 12.30pm before deciding to drive home.
Hasrat Ali, for the prosecution, told how staff had served Tarrant four drinks – brandy and port. Staff and other patrons expressed concern that he decided to drive home at around 2pm. Ali said: “One member of the public had noticed that Mr Tarrant had stumbled near the bar area.”
Thirteen minutes after one of the customers called the police to report his possible drink-driving, officers arrived at his home. “Those that attended spoke to Mr Tarrant who commented that he had just drunk three glasses of wine on arrival at his home address. He was asked to sign the pocket notebook to that effect, but he refused,” said Ali.
A breathalyser test returned a result of 50mcg alcohol per 100ml breath – the legal limit is 35mcg. He was taken for interview at the police station where: “He gave a different version of events in the sense that it wasn’t three glasses of wine that he had drunk, that in fact he had a large glass of brandy and a glass of wine,” said Ali.
In court, Tarrant only spoke to confirm his name and reply “guilty” when entering his plea.
Speaking in his defence, Simon Ray said that his client had not in fact drunk all the drinks purchased himself and that his stumble was due to a knee condition. He went on to say that “The most important mitigation I can give is an apology through me of taking the decision to drive on that day.”
Following the hearing, Tarrant said he was “very sorry” and that he had only drunk “just enough to be over”. He added “I honestly didn’t think I was over, but apparently I was, so fair enough. I made a mistake and I paid for it. I shouldn’t have driven. Full stop.”
After pleading guilty to drink-driving, Judge Shomon Khan banned the star from driving for 12 months as well as issuing a fine of £6,000. Tarrant must also undertake a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
Judge Khan said that even though it was a “relatively low reading”, there was nothing Tarrant could say that would “reduce the seriousness of the offence”.
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.
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