POLICE STOPPED DRINK-DRIVER FOR USING HIS MOBILE
Court told motorist was ‘struggling to drive in straight line’
POLICE pulled over a driver who was spotted using his mobile phone – and found he was also drink-driving.
Officers stopped Jamie Ferns in Hanley after noticing he was ‘struggling to drive in a straight line’.
Magistrates heard he was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.
Prosecutor Simon Dykes said: “At 4am on September 25, a police officer was driving along Etruria Road.
“He noticed a silver BMW driven by Mr Ferns because, as it moved off from the traffic lights, it moved from the middle lane to the right hand lane without indicating, almost colliding with the front of the officer’s vehicle.
“The officer followed the BMW, which continued to switch between lanes without indicating.
“The officer formed the view that the vehicle was struggling to drive in a straight line.
“At traffic lights, the officer pulled alongside the BMW and saw the defendant was using a mobile phone.
“Because of that, the officer indicated for him to stop. Mr Ferns exited the vehicle and the officers smelled alcohol. A roadside breath test was positive.”
Ferns, of Clare Street, Harriseahead, went on to give an alcohol reading of 84 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
He pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle while over the alcohol limit and using a mobile phone while driving.
James Hulse, mitigating, said: “He was foolish enough to drive his vehicle while intoxicated, but compounded that by using his mobile phone, which was what caused the police to stop him and speak to him.
“He is in work and it is hoped this disqualification is not going to have a negative impact on his employment.”
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre fined Ferns £376 and disqualified him from driving for 20 months.
He must also pay £173 in court costs and charges.