Ban for man, 47, who just couldn’t wait to get home to drink wine
Dad over limit after drinking on shop car park
MOTORIST Jonathan Wade has been hit with an 18 month driving ban after being caught behind the wheel when more than twice the legal limit.
The 47-year-old bought a bottle of wine for a social occasion from a shop in Forsbrook. But instead of taking it straight there he sat and drank some wine in the car park before driving off.
The dad-of-two was followed by police and when breathalysed he gave a reading of 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 35.
Now Wade has been fined £500 and ordered to pay £135 costs and a £50 surcharge at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
Prosecutor Alicia Perry said police received a call that a man believed to be under the influence of alcohol was about to drive off a car park in Forsbrook at 1pm on May 16.
Miss Perry said: “The man was believed to be under the influence of alcohol in a red five door saloon parked on the village car park and was about to leave. The officer arrived at 1.25pm and no-one was to be seen.
“The officer decided to drive past the car park again and noticed the car had returned and parked. The officer saw a man who looked straight towards him. He walked to the vehicle. He then saw the man in the red Audi drive out of the village car park.
“The officer approached the Audi at the junction with Cheadle Road. The driver saw him and accelerated away causing an approaching vehicle to brake. He accelerated away.
“The officer illuminated his blue lights and siren and followed. He saw it turn right into a driveway of a property on Draycott Old Road, Forsbrook.
“The man got out and the officer spoke to him. He could smell liquor on his breath.
“The defendant was breathalysed and gave a positive reading. He was taken to custody and breathalysed and gave a reading of 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 35.”
Wade, of Dilhorne, near Cheadle, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
Stephen Oldham, mitigating, said the defendant is sorry for his actions.
He said: “He had been to a shop in Forsbrook. He bought a bottle of wine for a social occasion with his mother. He sat and drank some wine in the car park before driving off. He did not think he would be over the limit. It was a foolish act. It was a huge miscalculation on his behalf.”
Mr Oldham said the defendant has not had a drink since his arrest. He has been to see his doctor and has been prescribed antidepressant medication.
He added that the defendant works in a factory and is going to have to find lifts to and from work.
Magistrate Joanne Fox said: “Driving under the influence is serious. It is to your credit you have taken some positive actions. This is a serious matter.”
Wade’s ban will be reduced by 18 weeks if he completes a drink drivers’ rehabilitation course.