A motorist has been disqualified from driving for more than three years after being caught behind the wheel at nearly three times the legal alcohol limit.
Jonathan Glasby, 33, was stopped by police on Newcastle Road in Stone on 1 March after officers observed his BMW being driven at speed and in the middle of the road.
Prosecutor Jo Fox told North Staffordshire Justice Centre that officers detected a strong smell of alcohol and noted that Glasby’s eyes were glazed. When asked to provide a roadside breath sample, he failed to do so and was arrested.
At the police station, he later provided an evidential sample, with the lower of two readings recorded at 101 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.
Glasby, of Trentham, pleaded guilty to drink driving. The court heard he had a previous conviction for a similar offence in 2018.
In mitigation, the court was told that Glasby had been under significant personal strain. His father had recently suffered a heart attack and there had also been concerns about his own health.
Defence solicitor Simon Dykes said: “He accepts, because of his dad’s illness, he lost the plot. He went out drinking.”
The court was told that although Glasby believed he was fit to drive the following day, he had consumed a substantial amount of alcohol the night before, which remained in his system.
Mr Dykes added: “He made a grave error of judgement.”
Glasby was banned from driving for 40 months. The court also heard that the disqualification is likely to have a significant impact on his employment, with the defendant expected to rely on others or public transport for travel.
The case serves as a reminder that alcohol can remain in the body well into the following day, and that a belief of being “fit to drive” does not provide a defence where a driver remains over the prescribed limit.
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.
