Two pints after work leads to roads ban

ELECTRICIAN ADMITS TO DRINK-DRIVING

A QUICK couple of pints with workmates has cost a self-employed electrician his driving licence for over a year.

Ismail Limbada had the drinks with two colleagues at the end of their working day, but this nudged him marginally over the legal drink-drive limit, a court heard.

He was detained when police became suspicious of the manner of his driving when he was dropping the workmates at home.

The 39-year-old, who committed the same offence in 2007, appeared at the city’s magistrates’ court to admit a single charge of drinkdriving.

He said a driving disqualification would have a big impact on his livelihood.

Prosecutor Sally Bedford told the court police officers stopped the defendant in his Mercedes van in St Margaret’s Way, near the city centre, at 11pm on Saturday, February 20.

Ms Bedford said: “The van appeared to be driving at speed and to be swerving within the lanes. He was requested to stop and he fully co-operated with the breath test procedure.”

He was taken into custody where he gave a further test, the reading given being 42mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. Limbada, of Thurnview Road, Evington, chose to appear without legal representation. Asked to explain his behaviour, he said: “I don’t usually drink, but it was the end of the week and they offered me something to drink and I had a couple of pints.

“I was on my way to drop them off at home when I was stopped by the police and they told me it was for drink-driving. This will have a big impact on me. I won’t do it again, that’s for sure.” He was banned from driving for 14 months, although this will be reduced if he pays for and completes a drinkdriving awareness course.

He was also fined £507 and told to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £51.

This will have a big impact on me. I won’t do it again, that’s for sure

Ismail Limbada