A man has appeared before Cardiff magistrates charged with drink driving after police pulled him over for using his headlights incorrectly.
Prosecuting, Nicholas Evans told the court that a police officer was driving past the 61-year-old defendant and noticed his lights were on full beam when they were supposed to be dipped, as is correct for nighttime driving.
The officer flashed his lights to alert the driver of the vehicle, but the headlights remained up.
“The constable performed a turn at the end of New Road and caught up with the driver as he was attempting to park his vehicle,” said Mr Evans.
On approaching the defendant the officer noticed a strong smell of alcohol on his breath, with a roadside test giving a result of 80mcg alcohol per 100ml breath. The legal limit for drink driving is 35mcg.
Mitigating, David Sedgewick said his client didn’t realise his headlights were on full beam at the time. The man had been out drinking but on his return had been persuaded to go out again.
The solicitor continued: “Foolishly he thought it would be okay to drive because he had been home a little while.”
“He made a spectacular misjudgement. He is mortified at the circumstances he has found himself in. He has always made sure his children have never drunk and drove and he had never done it himself.”
Mr Sedgwick also added that his client had no previous convictions and was “terrified” to be in court and that he would “never trouble the court again”.
Justice Peter Ghroum, presiding, told the man: “We’ve gone down the route of the least amount of disqualification we can place. We are satisfied this was a poor judgement on your part and you are devastated that you lose your good character.”
After pleading guilty to drink driving, the man was banned from the roads for 17 months, which may be reduced by 17 weeks on completion of the drink drivers’ rehabilitation course. He must also pay a fine of £120, £85 costs, and a victim surcharge of £48.
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.
