Driver was three times the alcohol limit when he popped out to shops

OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICER NOTICED MOTORIST’S SLOW, DRUNKEN PROGRESS ON AND OFF HIS DRIVE

A DRIVER was almost three times the legal limit when he popped to a shop to buy milk – but his trip out was spotted and reported by an offduty police officer.

The officer watched as Ian Hughes reversed his Mercedes off his drive and bumped into the kerb on the other side of the road before making his way, slowly, to a nearby shop.

The officer approached the 55-year-old when he returned a few minutes later, bumping into another vehicle on his driveway as he pulled up.

She called her colleagues in when she smelled alcohol on his breath.

Hughes, of Swallowdale, Thringstone, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court to admit a single charge of drink-driving on May 26 last year.

Prosecutor Sukhy Singh told the court: “The officer’s attention had been drawn by the length of time he took to reverse off his drive and when he hit the kerb on the opposite side of the road.

“When he returned, he hit another vehicle on his drive and she went over to see if he was okay.

“While speaking to him she could smell alcohol on his breath, so she called the police.”

When he returned, he hit another vehicle on his drive and she went over to see if he was okay Prosecutor

Her colleagues arrived and Hughes took a roadside breath test which gave a reading of 102mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

He was arrested and taken into custody where a further test was conducted and this gave a reading of 101mg.

Hughes committed a similar offence in 2004 and was banned from driving for 12 months, Mr Singh said.

Shiva Misra, representing Hughes, said: “His recollection is that he’d consumed alcohol the day before, and indeed the day before that as well.

“Quite simply, he cannot recall if or what he had consumed on that day.

“There is no dispute he was over the limit. He says he went to the shop to get some milk.

“At the time he was, and still is, taking medication, some of which is quite strong.

“We know the reading was 101mg and it is not in dispute he was smelling of alcohol.

“There is no reference to him slurring his words, of not walking in a straight line or showing any other signs of being under the influence.”

District Judge Nick Watson disqualified Hughes from driving for 26 months and placed him on a 7pm until 7am curfew for 17 weeks, telling him: “Your offence is made worse by the fact your driving was poor, although I accept you were driving slowly rather than quickly.

“Also, you have a previous conviction, although I accept it was quite some time ago.”

Hughes was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £300 and a victim surcharge of £95.

The ban will be reduced by 26 weeks if he pays for and completes a drink-driving awareness course.