Driver ‘was misled’ that he’d be okay on five pints
OVER-THE-LIMIT FOLLOWING CRASH IN WHICH HE WAS INJURED
A DRIVER who crashed after five pints of beer said he was misled about how much he could safely drink.
Mathew Gould was injured in the collision, in Ashby Road, Coalville, on June 7 and was spoken to by police while he sat in his Vauxhall Corsa.
Police noticed the 24-year-old was slurring his speech and a roadside breathalyser reading – which is not accurate enough to be used as evidence – suggested he was almost twice the drink-driving limit.
At Leicester Magistrates’ Court, he pleaded guilty to drink-driving and defended himself.
Sukhy Basi, prosecuting, said: “There was a report of an accident and when the police arrived the fire brigade were giving medical care to the defendant, who had minor injuries.
“He was spoken to and his speech was slurred. He was recovered from the vehicle and the paramedics began treatment.”
Mr Basi said a blood sample confirmed Gould was over the limit, with a reading of 102 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The limit is 80
I thought I was okay and I wasn’t. It’s the biggest mistake I’ve ever made
Mathew Gould
microgrammes. Gould, of Church Lane, Whitwick, who had no previous convictions, told the court: “I’m an individual who doesn’t drink often and understand alcohol – I was misled. “I thought I was okay and I wasn’t. It’s the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.”
When asked how much alcohol he had consumed, he replied: “Five pints.”
He said he worked as an assistant business manager at an office in Tamworth and would rely on his employer to transfer him to a different office closer to his home.
He said: “They could relocate me to a nearer location. They’re awaiting the outcome.”
The magistrates banned Gould from driving for 14 months.
He was also ordered to pay a £253 fine, a £32 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.