A West Wight man who felt ‘okay to drive’ after consuming half a bottle of vodka has been handed a 20-month driving ban.
Christopher Richards, 36, of Main Road in Bouldnor, admitted a single charge of drink driving when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court earlier this week (Tuesday).
Prosecuting, Abbie Winters, told the court that on the 30th August 2025, officers were called to High Street in Freshwater following reports of multi-vehicle road traffic collision at around 00:30.
The collision, saw a car collide with Richards who was emerging from a car park onto the road.
Once on scene, Officers spoke to those involved and required Richards to complete a roadside breath test but before he could complete it, Richard’s admitted ‘I will fail that, I’ve just had half a bottle of vodka’.
A roadside breath test returned a reading of 78 – more than 2x times the legal limit.
Defending Richards, Michael McGoldrick, told the court that his client felt okay to drive at the time, but that he admits the decision to do so was stupid.
Magistrates handed Richards a 20-month driving ban and fined him £550. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £220 surcharge fee.
Another Numpty who thinks it is ok to drink and drive.
Longer Bans is the answer, personally I would bang them up
for at least 12 months and a 10 year ban, they will think twice
before drink driving again.
A low fine and a short ban is not a deterrent, IT’S A JOKE!
DRINK DRIVING KILLS
Another stupid dumb idiot! If you wanna drink yeah, but do NOT drive, what is wrong with people?
This Numpty needs locking up.
You know – that’s a really interesting question…. my judgement is affected by a few drinks; surely anyone must know that theirs is crucially affected after the number of shots they’ve chugged down? Is it just that they think they’ll get away with it, that they overestimate their ability to drive while sozzled? How bloody dim do you have to be not to realize that you’re in danger of killing someone for your own selfish convenience? Or in short – why are so many people these days so bloody stupid?
After half a bottle of vodka, I’m not fit to stand up, never mind drive. Do these idiots never think that whatever the risk to themselves, they’re also risking the lives of others? Well no – course they don’t.