A 52-year-old businessman was caught drink driving by police as he headed to an alcoholics anonymous meeting, Stockport Magistrates Court has heard.
Prosecuting, Nick Smart said that the defendant left his house on the afternoon of August 11 to go to a shop. After purchasing a bottle of vodka he parked his car, sitting it, drinking the vodka and “playing games”.
He then left to attend an AA meeting but crashed into a parked car while travelling.
A local resident witnessed the collision as the man’s car drove “across the road” and collided with a parked car leaving it “stationary and at an angle”.
Mr Smart said the witness “approached and knocked on the window of the car, but got no response”, and then contacted police to find the car in the same state – stationary and with the engine running.
The officer “could smell intoxicants on his breath”, said Mr Smart.
The driver was arrested and taken to a local police station where tests found him to have 131mcg alcohol per 100ml breath, putting him nearly four times the legal drink driving limit of 35mcg.
During his police interview, the driver said he had driven to the shop and purchased the alcohol, remembered the collision, but couldn’t remember much more.
Mitigating, Peter Casson told the court his client was of “good character” who had never before appeared in court and had been “very open with the probation service” about the fact that he had been struggling with alcohol for the past few years, describing himself as a “functioning alcoholic”.
“He makes no excuses for his behaviour. He knew on the day what he was doing and knew he ran the risk of being over the limit and being before the courts,” Mr Casson said.
He added that his client has “tried desperately hard” to get help and now attends AA meetings three times a week and has been completely sober since the accident.
After hearing a guilty plea to drink driving, magistrate Dominic Stone said the offence was more serious as it took place “in the afternoon” and that “[he] know what [he was] doing.”
Mr Stone sentenced the man to twelve weeks in prison, suspended for twelve months as well as banning him from the roads for three years.
“This offence is so serious that only custody is appropriate”, added Mr Stone.
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.
