A 23-year-old man has appeared before magistrates at Carlisle’s Rickergate court after police caught him drink driving in the city centre.
George Shelley, prosecuting, told the court police initially spotted the man in his stationary vehicle talking to two men standing beside the car. On noticing the officers he “sped off”.
On realising the officers were following him, however, the man pulled over a few moments later. A roadside breath test found him to have 65mcg alcohol per 100ml breath. The legal drink driving limit is 35mcg.
Mitigating, Mark Shepherd told the court that it was his client’s youth that prompted him to speed off the way he did, pointing out that the area of the brain involved in making reckless, impulsive, or stupid things is not fully developed until the age of 25.
He added that his client wanted to assure the court he would not be repeating the mistake or the offence.
The defendant had worked as a self-employed joiner since the age of 16 and a driving ban would have a “significant impact” on his work. “His licence is essential to his work”, said Mr Shepherd, noting that the inevitable ban would be a “painful but necessary lesson.”
Mr Shepherd also pointed out that the incident was not a typical police pursuit.
“He just panicked”, said the lawyer, noting the behaviour was quite out of character. “He came to his senses quite quickly and stopped.”
The bench accepted the fact the defendant had panicked but also noted that had police not seen him he would have driven home under the influence of alcohol. They also noted, however, that he was ordinarily ” a diligent and hard-working young man” who was succeeding in his career through his own hard work.
The presiding magistrate added: “We accept that you panicked and almost reacted like a child knowing that they had done wrong. But now we see that you are reacting to that like an adult.”
After hearing the man plead guilty to drink driving, magistrates banned him from the roads for 17 months, which may be reduced by 17 weeks if he completes the drink drivers’ rehabilitation course. He must also pay a £520 fine, £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
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.
