‘Error in judgement that did no harm’ – defence
DEFENCE barrister Ahmed Nadeem said it was a ‘very profound error in judgement which didn’t lead to any harm’.
He told the court that Bell was a ‘socially responsible member of society’ and that sending him to prison was ‘not a constructive measure’.
He told the court: “What happened on the relevant day, he’s struggling to understand himself.
“He had been involved with a young lady for three years.
“He was struggling to cope with the severance of that relationship.
“It’s in those circumstances that he allowed his impaired judgement to get the best of him.
“He drank more alcohol than otherwise he would’ve drunk.
“It was not his intention to drive his car. Circum- stances seem to have conspired against him.”
Mr Nadeem told the court how Bell had bought the Vauxhall Corsa in April for £5,000 and took out a loan of £4,000 to help pay for it.
The court heard how the vehicle was impounded after the incident and then ‘disposed of by the authorities’ who received £900 for it.
However £810 were ‘consumed by the charges associated with impounding the car’ and Bell only received the remaining £90.