Five North Staffordshire drink-drivers in court this week

Here are the latest cases from the region's courts:

BLURTON:

Dad Paul Roberts has been banned from the roads for 14 months after he was caught drink-driving. North Staffordshire Justice Centre ^[1] heard the 41-year-old was seen driving a Volkswagen Golf in Blurton Road, Blurton ^[2], at 8.45pm on June 10.

Prosecutor Suzanne Swindail said: "It came to a natural stop in Allendale Walk, Blurton. Roberts was in the driver's seat. While engaging with officers they noticed a strong smell of alcohol.

"A roadside breath test was positive. He was arrested and taken to custody. He completed the breath test procedure and gave a reading of 59 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, against the legal limit of 35."

READ: Woman driver who 'hadn't slept in days' mowed down girl, 16, as she crossed road ^[3]

Roberts, of Allendale Walk, Blurton, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Representing himself, Roberts said: "Some lads were following my daughter. I told her to go to the One Stop shop and I would go and fetch her."

Paul Roberts, aged 41, admitted drink-driving.

He added that he may lose his job as a result of losing his licence. Magistrates fined Roberts £338 and ordered him to pay £135 costs and a £135 surcharge. His ban will be reduced by 15 weeks if he completes a drink-drivers' rehabilitation course.

BENTILEE:

Drink-driver Simon Pridgeon has been banned from the roads for 38 months. The 33-year-old HGV mechanic has now lost his job after he was caught behind the wheel when nearly twice the legal limit.

Prosecutor Suzanne Swindail told North Staffordshire Justice Centre: "Police saw an Audi on Dividy Road, Bentilee ^[4], and saw it pull on the wrong side of the road and proceed to drive erratically."

He admitted drinking alcohol when stopped. A roadside breath test was positive. He was arrested and taken to custody where he was breathalysed and gave a reading of 69 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, against the legal limit of 35.

The court heard Pridgeon has a previous conviction for drink-driving in 2015. Pridgeon, of Ubberley Road, Bentilee, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Representing himself Pridgeon said: "I was dropping off my sister-in-law due to mental health issues. I understand what I have done is wrong.

"I have lost my job as an HGV mechanic which I have been doing for the last 13 years. I have young children. It is going to have a massive impact on my life. I am sorry for what I have done."

Magistrates fined Pridgeon £180 and ordered him to pay £135 costs and a £48 surcharge. His ban will be reduced by 41 weeks if he completes a drink-drivers' rehabilitation course.

BRADWELL:

Pensioner Glenis Brailsford has been banned from the roads for 25 months after she was caught drink-driving. The 66-year-old had been drinking vodka and orange before she decided to drive to the shops to buy her husband some chocolate.

But when she reversed her car she struck the rear offside corner of a parked van. She then went forward and turned slightly to the left and struck the front wing of a Ford Fiesta.

She stopped near the junction of Bursley Way and a member of the public took her keys from the ignition and walked her back to her address. Police attended at 4pm and performed a roadside breath test. She failed and was taken to custody where she was breathalysed and gave a reading of 111 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than three times the legal limit of 35.

In her police interview Brailsford admitted she was the driver and caused the damage to both vehicles. She said she drove down the road and stopped a short time later.

She admitted having a drink. She said she had one or two glasses of vodka and orange and had half a bottle of vodka the night before. She accepted she would have been over the limit when she drove the vehicle. Brailsford, of Shawport Avenue, Bradwell,^[5] pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Tony Cooke, mitigating, said Brailsford has no previous convictions. Her husband has dementia. Mr Cooke said: "He wanted some chocolate. He would not walk. She had had a drink.

"She made the foolish decision to drive to the shop to fetch some chocolate so she could give her husband what he wanted. She has now sold both cars, knowing she is going to lose her licence. She does not intend to drive again."

Magistrates sentenced Brailsford to a 12 month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days. She was fined £230 and ordered to pay £135 costs and a £114 surcharge. Her ban will be reduced by 30 weeks if she completes a drink-drivers' rehabilitation course.

HARTSHILL:

Former banker Michael Stacey was caught behind the wheel when more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit. The 61-year-old was seen in Fenton ^[6] and a member of the public alerted police.

Prosecutor Suzanne Swindail told North Staffordshire Justice Centre: "They arrived to see him reverse the car and nearly hit the car behind. He drove forward again and appeared to stall. They blocked the car to prevent it from driving. He was unsteady on his feet and was slurring his words."

He was arrested and taken to custody where he was breathalysed and gave a reading of 91 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, against the legal limit of 35. Stacey, of Vicarage Road, Hartshill ^[7], pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Tony Cooke, mitigating, said Stacey is a retired banker. He said: "He shows great remorse for what occurred. He feels foolish. He had been on holiday and came back that day. He had a few drinks on the flight, something he has never done before.

"As he was driving home he thought, 'I will just call in at the pub'. He called in there. There was alcohol in his system from the previous drinks. He had not taken that into account. He has now sold his car and has no intention of driving again."

Magistrates sentenced Stacey to a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days and 80 hours unpaid work. He was banned from driving for 23 months.

He was ordered to pay £135 costs and a £114 surcharge. His ban will be reduced by 25 weeks if he completes a drink-drivers' rehabilitation course.

LEEK:

Pensioner Anthony Bagnall has been banned from the roads for 18 months after he was caught drink-driving. North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the 82-year-old returned home in his car at 4.40pm on June 12 and hit a neighbour's car, causing damage.

Police attended at Bagnall's home at 5pm and he gave a positive roadside breath test. He was arrested and taken to custody where he was breathalysed and gave a reading of 70 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, twice the legal limit of 35. Bagnall, of Fair View Road, Leek ^[8], pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Representing himself, Bagnall said: "I just had too much alcohol. I am still getting over my wife. I have given the car away and won't be driving again. I am extremely remorseful for my offence. I still find it hard to cope with the loss of my wife who passed away in 2021."

Magistrates fined Bagnall £120 and ordered him to pay £135 costs and a £48 surcharge.

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References

^{^} North Staffordshire Justice Centre (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Blurton (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Woman driver who 'hadn't slept in days' mowed down girl, 16, as she crossed road (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Bentilee (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Bradwell, (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Fenton (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Hartshill (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Leek (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} COURT AND CRIME NEWSLETTER: Sign up for email alerts direct to your inbox (data.reachplc.com)