A Worcester man has been banned from the roads for drink driving after he got behind the wheel to prevent his friend from doing the same.
Prosecuting, Melanie Winterflood told Worcester Magistrates that the vehicle caught police officers’ attention when they saw it being driven through the restricted area of the bus station and swerving between lanes.
After seeing the officers’ blue lights signalling to pull over, the 24-year-old defendant – whose friend was in the car with him – stopped in the middle of the road. Police said they could smell alcohol and the driver was slurring his words.
The man failed a roadside breath test and was later found to have 74mcg alcohol per 100ml breath. The legal drink driving limit is 35mcg.
Mitigating, Mark Turnbull told the court that his client usually drove to the town and left his car overnight, getting a taxi home.
“He was with a friend in a bar, they consumed alcohol over the course of the evening,” Mr Turnbull said.
“It was his friend who wanted to drive home. It was then he was foolish.
“He felt he was in the better state to drive than his friend, so drove his friend’s car.
“He accepts looking back now there was no way he was in a suitable condition.”
Mr Turnbull said his client was mortified and embarrassed by his “perverse” decision to drink-drive, adding that he was a cricket coach in his spare time and was finishing his building surveyor degree.
“He has employment lined up as a building surveyor – he is not sure whether that employment will still be available to him,” Mr Turnbull said.
Kevin Lloyd-Wright, chairman of the bench, said the 74mcg reading, the unacceptable driving, and that there was a passenger in the car were all aggravating factors in the case.
After pleading guilty to drink driving, the man was banned from driving for 20 months and fined £120. He must also pay £135 costs and a victim surcharge of £34.
The ban may be reduced on completion of the drink driving awareness 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.
