A Sandown man who previously pleaded not guilty to drink driving, stating the ‘hip flask’ defence, has changed his plea and seen his licence taken away from him for 22 months.
Roy Baker, 68, of Perowne Way, pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Thursday last week (12th January) – a charge he initially pleaded not guilty to back in November citing the ‘hip flask’ defence.
During November’s hearing, Ann Smout, prosecuting, told the court that on 3rd October 2022, Baker was seen at a road traffic collision on Beacon Alley near Godshill, with his car – a brand new Mercedes A-class AMG – stopped at the side of the road.
Police attended the scene and noticed Baker smelt of alcohol, but Baker insisted the crash hadn’t occurred as a result of drinking.
It was heard that the 68-year-old had been drinking Baccardi before and after the crash.
Defending, solicitor Michael McGoldrick told the court that his client had drunk the night before and after the crash, at the side of the road, but not at the time of the incident. The case was adjourned until January 2023.
A trial was due to be heard last Thursday but at the beginning of proceedings, Baker indicated he wished to plead guilty to the offence on the grounds that the alcohol reading was 88, not 119.
This wasn’t accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) however and the bench considered and decided the difference would not make a material difference to their sentence.
Roy Baker was disqualified from driving for 22 months and made subject to a 12-month community order with 70 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £85 costs with a £114 surcharge.
Should have had his free bus pass taken off him, too. There is a significant cost to young people if they lose their licence. Old farts done for drink-driving don’t need to get to work and just dust off their bus pass for everything else.
Still, at least the arrogant twunt is off the road. Didn’t even have the common decency to hold his hand up to what he’s done.
Finally got caught then? took long enough to happen.
Err, I thought 22-month ban was for a scooter? Surely car is more serious?
I doesn’t pay to try and hoodwink a magistrate… even more so a judge. Hands up at the time and full of remorse could have seen a 12 month ban….
Probably blagged a hip flask defense so he could drive over Xmas knowing a ban was inevitable. Who knows…
So can afford to drive a brand new Mercedes but no fine?. Others have had fines of £750 and been driving old bangers.