Learner was over alcohol limit when he crashed

HIT LAMPPOST AND RAN OFF – LEADING TO 20-MONTH BAN

A LEARNER driver has been banned from the road for 20 months after he crashed his car into a lamppost and ran home.

Joseph North, who was more than twice the legal alcohol limit, abandoned his Vauxhall Astra at the scene of the collision near his home in Asfordby Hill, near Melton, in November.

In the meantime, a member of the public had reported the crash to police, whose officers went to the scene and tracked the 33-year-old to his home in nearby South Street.

He immediately confessed what he had done.

North appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court to admit drinking and driving and taking to the road without a full licence, on November 7.

Prosecutor Sally Bedford told the court the collision, on or near the roundabout at the junction of Melton Road and Asfordby Road, was reported to police at 1am.

She said: “Officers made inquiries and the defendant was identified as the registered keeper.

“He lived nearby. Officers attended his address and he was completely frank with them and said he’d been drinking and had crashed.”

He was arrested and taken into custody, where he was tested.

His lowest reading was 86mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

North chose to appear in court without legal representation.

Given an opportunity to explain his actions, he told the court: “I was stupid and I wish I could take it back. I’m so far into doing my test.”

Asked why he was out in the early hours, he said: “It was just to get out of the house for a bit.”

Magistrate Simon Edwards told him: “We have taken your remorse into account and appreciate you have been very frank with us.”

As well as the disqualification for 20 months, North was fined £330.

He was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34 and prosecution costs of £85.

His ban will be reduced by a quarter if he pays for and completes a drinkdriving awareness course.