Drink-driver banned after moving van less than half-a-mile

A motorist who travelled less than half-a-mile to park his van up after he had been boozing has been banned from the road for drink-driving.
Drink-drive breathalyser.Drink-drive breathalyser.
Drink-drive breathalyser.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Tuesday, February 14, how Colin Wall, 41, of Wheeldon Crescent, Brimington, Chesterfield, was followed a short distance from Poolsbrook Welfare Social Club to Staveley Road, at Poolsbrook, by a police officer before he failed a drink-drive test.

Prosecuting solicitor John Cooper said: “The police officer had received information that the driver had consumed alcohol and the van was followed until the police officer approached the driver.”

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After failing a roadside breath test, according to Mr Cooper, Wall registered 43microgrammes of alcohol in 100millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35microgrammes.

Wall said: “I am sorry. I genuinely thought I was under the limit. This has had a major, major impact on my life.

“I am a full-time plasterer. I drive to my jobs. I work on my own.

“It will have a big impact on what I do for a living. I have so much regret for what I have done.”

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The defendant explained that he had driven the short distance from the social club to his friend’s home at Staveley Road to simply park and leave his van because he did not want to leave the vehicle in the club car park.

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He pleaded guilty to exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit after the incident on January 27.

Magistrates fined Wall £300 and ordered him to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months but was offered a 25per cent reduction if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.