Derby Telegraph

Drink-driver was slumped over wheel in his slippers

- By MARTIN NAYLOR martin.naylor@reachplc.com

A DRIVER from Derbyshire was found slumped over the wheel of his car wearing his slippers.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrate­s’ Court heard how Samuel Leedham also had cans of beer in his car and an empty one was found on the ground outside when police were called to the incident.

The 27-year-old failed a breath test and blamed his “ridiculous” decision to do what he did on issues he was having in his personal life. Then he failed to turn up for a scheduled court appearance, saying he had to work instead.

Ben Payne, prosecutin­g, said police were called to reports from concerned members of the public that a man was slumped over the wheel of a car in Starkholme­s Road, Matlock, at around 9.30am on May 21 this year. He said: “The driver was in the front seat of the vehicle facing oncoming traffic.

“The police knocked on the window and the defendant was in the driver’s seat. They started speaking to him and noticed he had glazed eyes, there was a strong smell of alcohol and he was wearing his slippers.

“He got out and was unsteady on his feet. There were two full cans in the car and a half-drunk can in the centre console.

“There was also an empty can on the floor outside the window. He failed a roadside breath test and so was taken to a police station where he blew an evidential reading of 59 (micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitre­s of breath when the legal limit is 35).”

Leedham, of Netherfiel­d Close, Matlock, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink. He also admitted a bail act offence when he failed to turn up for a previous court hearing. He has no previous conviction­s.

Judge Jonathan Taaffe asked Leedham what he wanted to say about the incident.

Representi­ng himself, he replied: “It was ridiculous of me to do it.” Judge Taaffe said: “What led to it?” Leedham replied: “I had difficulti­es with my ex-wife.”

Judge Taaffe fined Leedham £400 and ordered him to pay £85 prosecutio­n costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

He also disqualifi­ed him from driving for a year. His road ban will be cut by 25% if he successful­ly completes a drink-drive awareness course which he opted to do.

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