Drunk driver got yards from pub before smashing into parked cars
A drunk Atherstone driver got just yards away from a pub before he smashed into three parked cars. Michael Ball had been drinking at the Red Lion in Barlestone, near Market Bosworth, and got into his Nissan Qashqai to go home.
But, according to LeicesterLive,[1] Ball of Ivor Road only made it around the corner from the pub before smashing into the cars, which were parked in Barton Road. The 35-year-old was arrested by Leicester police officers.
He was taken into custody and blew a breath test reading of 78 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath. This is more than double the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
During police interview he gave ‘no comment’ but at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, he pleaded guilty to drink-driving. The court heard that the crash had caused “significant damage” to the parked cars. Ball, who had no previous convictions, represented himself in court.
“I accept I made a massive error of judgement and I’m just here to face the consequences,” he told the court.
Andrew Holt, chairman of the bench, told him: “You’re over twice the legal limit and you’ve caused an accident.” Ball replied: “I am very, very, sorry for what I’ve done.”
As a result, Ball was banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay a £180 fine, a £72 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. Mr Holt told the unemployed resident: “It is a serious offence and we feel for this we would have started with a low-level community order. But you’ve pleaded guilty so we’ve brought that down to a fine.”
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References
- ^ according to LeicesterLive, (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Club where man ‘threatened with gun’ could lose licence as police demand review (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ here (data.reachplc.com)
- ^ Nuneaton (www.coventrytelegraph.net)