A Staffordshire engineer and father-of-one has appeared in court for drink driving and now stands to lose both his job and home as a result.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that the 29-year old was caught by police with two passengers in his car after officers saw him travelling “at speed” and veering over the central line on February 26.
Prosecuting, Zaine Riaz told the court: “A police officer in an unmarked vehicle was on the A34 at the Fillybrooks, near Stone. His attention was drawn to screeching tyres at the junction of Yarnfield Lane. He saw a BMW coming at speed.
“The officer observed the vehicle doing speeds of up to 60mph and drifting over the central line to the other side of the road. As they approached a residential zone the officer turned on his sirens and the defendant stopped. He admitted he had been drinking.
“The officer noted his eyes were glazed and he was unsteady on his feet – clearly not in a state to be driving. There were also two passengers in the vehicle who the defendant had placed at risk.”
The defendant was found to have 55mcg alcohol per 100ml breath. The legal limit for drink driving is 35mcg.
Defending, Mark Bromley said: “This offence took place on Yarnfield Lane, a narrow and windy country road, and at 3.30am in the morning it would have been obvious if something was coming the opposite way. [He] had been to The Wayfarer for a meal and left his car there. After the meal, he and friends went into Stone where they had a few more drinks.
“A friend was giving him a lift back. By the time they were going home, he believed he would be below the limit so his friend dropped him and two others at The Wayfarer to get his car.”
The man’s job repairing laser machinery requires him to cover a wide area, and Mr Bromley noted: “His disqualification will mean he will lose his job. His partner is expecting their first child. They live in rented accommodation and the loss of his employment means he will lose the accommodation.
“The decision he made in the early hours of that Saturday morning is going to have a long-lasting and devastating effect on his young family.”
After pleading guilty to drink driving, magistrates banned the man from driving for 15 months and ordered him to pay a fine of £120 plus £169 in costs and charges. His ban may be reduced on completion of the drink driving rehabilitation course.
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.
