Drunk Derbyshire motorist thought he was under the limit 'because he Googled it'

George Lomas had been celebrating Christmas Day with a friend and had planned to walk home, but woke up in the early hours of the following morning and thought he was okay to drive, Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday, January 11.

The 23-year-old, of Torr Street, Buxton, admitted drink driving when he appeared before the court and blew 51mg of alcohol to 100ml of breath when tested, when the legal limit is 35mg.

Prosecuting, Becky Allsop told the court: “Officers noticed that his vehicle was slowing down to 10mph then speeding up and swerving into the middle of the road. He then braked sharply at a roundabout.

“He told officers he had Googled how much he’d had to drink and thought he was under the limit.”

Mitigating, Lisa Tinsley said: “It was Christmas Day and he had been at a friend’s house drinking in the evening.

“He had planned to walk home but woke up in the early hours of the morning and felt that he was okay to drive.”

She added that Lomas worked as a kitchen porter but was currently furloughed and would be able to get to work on the bus when his employment resumed.

Lomas was banned from driving for 12 months, but was offered a drink-drive rehabilitation course which would reduce his disqualification by three months if completed by August 10 this year.

He was also fined £170 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

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