Drink-driver gets 20-month ban

A Drink-driver crashed into a speed bump and traffic cone after going to a Paul Weller gig in Newcastle.

Ronald Mcghie had been drinking at the concert with his brother when he decided to get behind the wheel of his VW Golf in order to get back to his hotel.

A court was told that concerned witnesses rang the police as they believed the 48-year-old was intoxicated and officers arrived at the scene, outside Northumbria University, soon after.

Mcghie, who had collided with a speed bump and traffic cone, was spoken to and arrested after failing a roadside breath test.

He later gave a reading of 67mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal limit is just 35.

Mcghie, of Storey Bank Gardens, Musselbrough, Scotland, has been banned from the roads for 20 months after he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor, Emma O’hegarty, said: “Officers arrived at the scene and could see three Northumbria University staff following the defendant in his car. Information was received that he’d collided with a speed bump and a traffic cone.”

Mark Humble, defending, said: “He was staying in a hotel six miles away. He had had three pints of beer. He became split up from his brother and there was no mobile phone contact between them. He only drove 400m.”

Mcghie was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.