27-year-old John Turner has been banned from the roads for 25 months after crashing his car into a hedge whilst 3 times the drink-drive limit.
Turner, of High Street in Bembridge, was driving home from a night out playing snooker on 16th February when he left the carriageway at Sandown Road, the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court heard on Friday (4th March).
Liz Miller, prosecuting, explained to the bench that a member of the public came across Turner’s white Citroen DS3 in a hedge, near to the entrance to Culver Down. The gentleman approached the car and could smell alcohol. As a result, he helped Turner out of the driver’s seat and called the Police.
Officers arrived at the scene to find a drunken Turner, who was unable to stand straight and was slurring his words. He made admissions at the scene that he had been drinking, which was supported by a positive breath test.
The court heard that the 27-year-old chef blew 105 on the evidential breathalyser – the legal limit being 35.
Defending, Oscar Vincent said that his client was of previous good character and was normally law-abiding. He explained that on the night in question, John Turner had been drinking with friends in Shanklin and took the ‘foolish’ decision to drive home. Mr Vincent reiterated to Magistrates what his client had said at the scene, admitting he was an ‘idiot’ and that he had ‘done something stupid’.
Magistrates handed Turner a 25-month driving disqualification and made him subject to a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work. They also ordered him to pay £85 costs with a £95 surcharge.
Maybe Schools should teach children about the Dangers of Drink / Drug driving
so when persons grow up and drive, they realise the Dangers.