A 40-year-old carpenter who crashed his van into a bridge on Rowborough Lane whilst over the drink-drive limit has been handed a driving disqualification at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court.
Tom Johnson, of Barton Road, Newport, was charged with driving whilst under the influence of alcohol following a collision on the 4th September, as previously reported.
Liam Hunter, prosecuting, told the court officers were called to the scene by paramedics after Johnson’s Citroen Berlingo collided with the wall of the bridge across the railway line near Brading. Significant damage was caused to the front end of the vehicle, although no other vehicles were involved.
A breath test revealed 59 microgrammes per 100ml of breath in his system – the legal limit being 35.
Magistrates were told that Johnson was seen driving out of a pub car park at approximately 15:00 on the day of the collision – just minutes before the incident occurred.
Representing himself, Johnson admitted that he had been drinking until around 13:00 that day – but had not been doing so at the pub, but rather at a friends home nearby following an overnight stay.
Johnson, who told the court that he suffers from depression and has been off sick from work due to the condition since March, claimed that before the collision took place he thought that he would be ‘okay to drive’ after consuming 3 pints.
He was handed an 18-month driving disqualification and was also ordered to pay a £120 fine. Additionally, Johnson must pay a £34 surcharge and £85 in costs.
Mental illness seems to be everyone’s defence now……responsibility is so 20th century.
playing the mental health card
Should be band for life could have easily become a manslaughter charge.
Did the publican try to stop him? Did they call the police? I hope so, if not they are also responsible. I’ve worked in pubs, you know who should not be driving.
You worked in pubs ? What as, A pot wash boy collecting glasses.
No sense, crash a 1ton van capable killing others or the driver you get 18mth ban and 40 years old should know better. Yet Fall of an escooter as a teenage you get 26mths.
Madness ain’t it!! This world is messed up!
and has been off sick from work due to the condition since March,
….
no, more like hiding his face from his colleagues, who would no doubt look down their noses at him and give him a hard time about it.
cannot face the shame.
What kind of excuse is that he knew 3 pints was going to have an effect on his driving.