A Birmingham logistics manager has been banned from the roads after he collided with another vehicle while drink-driving on his way home from a “bad date”.
38-year-old Martin Newton had planned a romantic meal out which ended in an argument and, after drowning his sorrows, decided to drive his Mercedes home while under the influence.
Leamington Magistrates heard that at around 11pm on February 2, Newton veered into the path of an oncoming Vauxhall Insignia, hitting it head-on, before crashing into a garden wall. The Vauxhall’s driver and one of his passengers were taken to hospital, while the other two suffered shock and bruising. Newton had to be cut from the wreckage of his Mercedes.
Newton had been in court on similar charges previously, having been banned in 2005 for driving while under the influence of alcohol and driving without insurance.
He apologised to magistrates, admitting they were an act of stupidity, and he acknowledged they could have had far more serious consequences.
“I was going through a seriously bad patch in my life,” he said.
“I know what I’ve done is completely wrong, and I’m totally ashamed.”
A roadside breath test proved positive for alcohol, and analysis showed Newton to have 107mcg alcohol per 100ml breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
The probation service prepared a pre-sentence report, saying “Prior to the offence he committed, he went out on a date which he considered as being quite bad. They argued,” explained the probation officer.
She then went on to add that he had continued drinking to drown his sorrows, before foolishly deciding to drive home.
Newton pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was banned from driving for two years. Magistrates also handed him a 12-month community order to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work, as well as ordering him to pay £135 in costs, a £85 victim surcharge, and undertake a 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.
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