A Ryde man, up in court for failing to provide, told Magistrates that he hadn’t been drink driving, but instead was watching the Formula 1 Grand Prix which led to an argument with his partner over the result.
Robert Ayley, 45, of Barfield in Ryde, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday (12th September).
Prosecuting, Ann Smout said that on 27th August 2023, Police were made aware of a possible drink driver in the Brading area. The control room had received a tip-off from a member of the public who said they had seen a vehicle swerving in the road, almost hitting a few cars.
Having been given the details of the car, officers attempted to catch up with the motor, however, they were unsuccessful in their attempts. Instead, they headed to the address that was linked to the vehicle.
At the property, officers noticed the vehicle and that its engine was still hot to touch. Ayley answered the door in a seemingly intoxicated state.
The 45-year-old failed a roadside breath test before refusing to give an evidential sample at Newport Police Station, claiming he was ‘mentally insane’.
Defending himself during proceedings, Ayley said that he wasn’t driving the car that the Police had been alerted to and that he had instead been drinking, firstly at the Isle of Wight Scooter Rally and then whilst watching the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix with his partner. He told the court that the pair started arguing following the end of the race, which was won by Max Verstappen.
He also added that he ‘blew long and hard’ on the breathalyser, but couldn’t give a sample.
Magistrates handed Ayley – who has 1 previous conviction from some 14 years ago in 2009 – a 17-month driving ban and made him subject to a 12-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work attached.
Only one way to deal with drink or drug drivers
Instant imprisonment
you should also – seize and crush the vehicle being used and consider following the same idea that they have had in texas….if you kill or severely injure someone due to being drunk or drugged up whilst driving, you are responsible for paying child maintenance to the family, if the person that died or can no longer work has any kids.
(of course, in some states in the USA, failure to pay child maintenance results in being imprisoned almost immediately)