Drink-drive man hit his neighbour’s garage, and then paid for repairs

COURT HEARS OF ‘IMPECCABLE’ 22-YEAR-OLD’S BOOZE MISTAKE

A YOUNG drink-driver ploughed his car into a next-door neighbour’s garage – and then paid the £4,000-plus repair bill using money from his grandfather.

Charles Ward, 22, was over the legal limit when he drove home following a night out in Melton town centre in the early hours of January 18.

The sports science graduate admitted a single count of drink-driving when he appeared before Leicester Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Sally Bedford said: “It was 3am and the defendant was driving along Waterside Close, Melton, where he lives, and his vehicle left the carriageway and drove into a neighbour’s garage.

“It was a significant impact which caused structural damage. The neighbour was woken by the enormous bang and the police attended. The fire service had to come out as well.”

Ward was arrested and taken into custody, where he was breath-tested.

His reading was 62mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Ms Bedford said: “He was fully cooperative and insured. He has no previous convictions.”

Kim Lee, defending, handed two character references to the court – one from the neighbour whose garage had been damaged, and the other from Ward’s employer.

Mr Lee said Ward had driven into the town centre to meet up with a friend who had just arrived home after being overseas for some time.

“It may have been the company he was in. It may have been the joy of seeing his friend,” he told the court.

“He consumed a number of pints of lager and was prevailed upon to go to a second public house where he consumed more alcohol.

“This is very untypical of this young man. He is ashamed and only wants to express his utter remorse.

“This is a young man of impeccable good character and he is still held in high regard by the person whose garage he damaged.

“When he left the police station, his first action was to go to his neighbour’s house and personally apologise.

“The cost of the repairs, £4,400, has not come from the victim’s insurance, but from this young man’s savings.

“He had £5,000 in savings, a windfall from his grandfather. So, financially, he has suffered a massive hit, although it is entirely of his own fault.”

Ward hoped to work in sports science for a professional club one day and the inevitable ban would affect his short-term future, Mr Lee said.

Chairman of the bench, Roger Wood, told Ward “This is a very serious offence and I know you are aware of that.

“You have managed to display a low standard of driving. Not only was your decision to drive really poor, but the driving was as well.

“You are just starting out in your professional career and that is basically on hold for a year.”

Ward was banned from driving for 17 months, fined £300 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £32 and prosecution costs of £85. The ban will be cut by 17 weeks if he completes a drinkdriving awareness course.