In the last chance saloon

Thursday, May 24, 2012 LATEST BREAKING NEWS ON: www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk With four previous drink-drive convictions and three times over the legal limit, Shaun Mallett crashed his car into a ditch. Now he’s warned: Do it again and you will go to jail

A WAREHOUSE manager convicted of drink-driving five times who crashed his car at more than three times the legal limit has avoided going to jail.

Shaun Mallett crashed his BMW into a ditch in Werrington Bridge Road after visiting two pubs on May 7 this year.

He was spotted by passing motorists, who had to detain him before police arrived to arrest him.

At the police station he gave a reading of 119mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - more than three times the legal limit of 35mg in 100ml of breath.

Mallett appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. The court was told he had four previous drink drive offences dating back to 1998.

But despite his record, the chairman of the bench Dr Vivian Thomas sentenced him to four months in jail, suspended for two years, and banned him from driving for four years. He was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £85.

Jackie Carradice, prosecuting, said: “At 9.30pm on May 7 officers received information from a motorist about a car in a ditch. “When they arrived they found a car in the ditch, with members of the public holding onto the driver. “He admitted he had been drinking.

“He said he had been drinking in Crowland and then driven to another pub, before going home.”

Jeremy Roberts, defending, said: “He wants to apologise to the court after being out of trouble for seven years.

“He booked a taxi but foolishly he got into his car.

“He is the manager of a warehouse in Deeping and manages 13 people. He has been working there for many years.

“To be sent to prison would be a disaster for him. Because of the economic downturn he has been working for many hours and the strain and stress has got to him.

“If he is sent to prison he would lose his employment and his flat. It would be disastrous.”

Dr Thomas said: “We have been advised of your past record, which is appalling.

“We have also been advised you had to be restrained by members of the public and your level was three times what is permissible.

“With your past record and the details of the current offence, this clearly passes the custody threshold. But we are able to suspend the sentence.

“We suggest if there is an alcohol problem you should seek help.

“Do not be tempted to go onto any road in any vehicle.

“With the record you have, and with a suspended sentence, if you are caught the suspended sentence will be activated and you would go to jail.”