A driving disqualification of 22 months has been issued to a 69-year-old taxi driver following an incident in Barrow, Cumbria, in which alcohol was found to have been consumed in excess of the legal limit. The event took place on the evening of 23 August 2025 in the car park of an Aldi supermarket located on Risedale Road.
The defendant, identified as Geoffrey Thomas Albery, had been seated in his Volkswagen Passat when a woman and her children entered the vehicle. It was observed by the passengers and bystanders that the driver was not fully dressed, reportedly wearing only boxer shorts. Concern was raised regarding the condition of the vehicle, which had a flat tyre and was noted to be parked irregularly.
A member of the public intervened, advising against entering the vehicle and subsequently removing the car keys in an effort to prevent the driver from leaving the scene. Cumbria Police were called, and upon arrival, a roadside breath test was administered. A reading of 94 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath was recorded; this was later found to be 86 microgrammes in custody. The legal limit stands at 35 microgrammes.
Mr Albery was arrested and brought before South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court, where he admitted the offence. In mitigation, it was stated that confusion had arisen following an afternoon spent consuming alcohol at home while watching football. It was explained that the defendant had believed it to be the following morning upon waking, and that disorientation had occurred. Full cooperation with police was acknowledged, and the court was informed that the individual had since surrendered his taxi licence and lost his employment.
Magistrates imposed a financial penalty of £211, alongside £85 in court costs and an £84 victim surcharge. The opportunity to reduce the period of disqualification by 22 weeks was extended, conditional upon successful completion of a 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.
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