Kiss lands pals with drive bans
tests after their joint arrest.
He was stopped on the A1231 in Sunderland after the victim of the accident called police to alert them to the minor collision.
Prosecutor Ben Woodward said: “The reason that both defendants are reported is that they were both driving the same car.
“The police are informed that a vehicle had been involved in a collision in Sunderland. It appears that Mr Stokoe had been driving at the time.
“Mr Rose had consumed alcohol. He was actually more drunk than Mr Stokoe. Both were arrested and both prove positive on a CAMIC device.
“Mr Stokoe had been involved in an accident, which is an aggravating factor.”
Jason Smith, defending both men, who both pleaded guilty to drink-driving, said: “You couldn’t get a more obvious comedy sketch.
“Mr Stokoe is merrily driving along, and thinks that he wasn’t over the limit. He probably didn’t feel that he was drunk.
“His girlfriend is also in the car and she leans over and pulls his head to his to kiss him.
“His foot hits the accelerator and he collides with the car in front. There’s a slight bump on the other car, and the drivers exchange details.
“He is a little shaken up and drives off to Michael’s house.
"Michael says he will give his friend a lift home.
“The police are looking for the vehicle, the other driver must have reported that there had been an accident, and the police pull the vehicle over.
“Mr Stokoe is an honest young man and also tells the police that he had been driving. Things have snowballed out of control.”
Mr Smith added: “Mr Stokoe was due to start work the next day at a car dealership, but that has been terminated.
“Mr Rose was trying to be a nice bloke and take his friend home. He’s ended up with the worst end of the stick.”
Stokoe gave a breath test reading of 43mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath, and Rose 64mcgs. The legal limit is 35mcgs.
Magistrates banned Rose from driving for 17 months and Stokoe for 12 months.
Each was fined £120 and must pay £42.50 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.