Winchester M3 and M27 lorry driver spared jail for dangerous driving

Stephen Jennings was handed a suspended prison sentence at Southampton Crown Court, having previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol. Jennings, 68, was arrested after he was found to be almost three times the drink-drive limit. %image('13371876', type="article-full", alt="Lorry driver Stephen Jennings was seen weaving on the M3, Winchester[1] Crown Court was told.")

The incident began on the southbound carriageway of the M3 near Winchester services on the afternoon of January 10. Martyn Booth, prosecuting, said another motorist saw Jennings's articulated lorry weave five or six times and feared the driver was "out of control". "He was sufficiently concerned to call the police, thinking the driver might be having some sort of medical episode and that other road users were in danger."

Jennings continued along the M3 before joining the M27 and pulling into Rownhams services. Mr Booth said the other motorist also stopped at Rownhams and approached Jennings out of concern for his welfare, but received a "fairly rude and brusque response". The defendant was nearing the end of his journey to a Marchwood depot when hit the back of a car in Totton.

After arriving at the depot he was subjected to a test that showed he was over the limit, and a bottle of vodka, three-quarters of which had been drunk, was found in his cab. He was arrested and found to have 100 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35 micrograms.

%image('13700417', type="article-full", alt="Stephen Jennings was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court") Jennings, of Stanground, Peterborough, admitted dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol. Chris Gaiger, mitigating, said: "The defendant has a long history of alcohol problems.

He has lost his job and tells me he has no intention of driving again." Referring to recommendations set out in a pre-sentence report Mr Gaiger added: "The package being proposed meets the requirements of this particular case." Jennings was banned from driving for three years and jailed for a total of 12 months, suspended for 21 months.

Judge Nicholas Rowland told him the sentence "could have been very different" if the offence of dangerous driving had resulted in any injuries.

Jennings was also told to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 25 sessions of rehabilitation activity as well as take part in an alcohol treatment programme.

If he ever applies for a new driving licence he will have to take an extended test.

References

1. ^ Winchester (www.dailyecho.co.uk)