Driver caught over drink-drive limit on way to pick up friend
The breath of a salesman has led to a driving ban.
Gareth Burdett, 33, was caught in his new Renault Megane on Sunderland’s Northern Spire Bridge.
Police pulled seller Burdett, of Kitchener Terrace, Grangetown, over because his 61-plate motor flagged up as not being insured.
In fact, it was covered - but they realised he was sozzled when they spoke to him at the roadside and could smell alcohol.
A breath test on Sunday, April 4, showed he had 83 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the 35 limit.
He is now starting a 20-month roads ban after being told by magistrates in South Tyneside his high-level reading made it a “serious” offence.
Prosecutor Grace Taylor said: “Officers were driving a marked vehicle when they saw a car as having no insurance, and he was pulled over.
“They spoke to the defendant, and he stated that he was just out for a drive because he had just bought the vehicle.
“They noticed that his eyes were glazed, his speech was slurred, and he smelled of intoxicating liquor. A roadside breath test was done, and it was positive for alcohol.”
Ms Taylor said Burdett was taken to a police station, where he gave two breath samples on the evidential CAMIC device, the lowest being
83 microgrammes.
Burdett, who represented himself in court and pleaded
guilty to drink-driving, has no previous convictions.
In mitigation, Burdett,
who told the hearing he works in sales, said: “I apologise. It was out of character, it wasn’t planned. I was supposed to be going to a friend’s barbeque but at the last minute he cancelled on me.
“Another friend’s wife kicked him out and I wanted to pick him up. I shouldn’t have driven the car. I’ve learnt my lesson.”
Magistrates told Burdett that 83 microgrammes was “quite a significant level of intoxication”.
As well as the ban, he was fined £300 and must pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
Burdett was offered the opportunity to sit a drinkdriver rehabilitation course, which reduces a ban by a quarter on successful completion.
Otherwise, he will be disqualified until January 27, 2023.