A civil engineering graduate who fell off an e-Scooter whilst 3x the drink-drive limit has been disqualified from driving for 26-months.
23-year-old Jared Lloyd, of Windmill Close in Ryde, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court this morning (Tuesday) charged with drink driving on 10th July this year.
Liz Miller, prosecuting, explained to the court that a member of the public found Lloyd laying injured on the floor at the junction of Upton Road and St Mary’s Close. He was beside a Beryl e-Scooter.
An ambulance was called for as Jared appeared to be injured, however, the 23-year-old decided to walk away before he could be treated. He parked the e-Scooter in a nearby bay at the junction with Colenutts Road and then walked the short distance home.
Police were alerted to the situation and went to Jared Lloyd’s home address – obtainable as he had given his true details to the concerned member of the public. When officers arrived, they were greeted by a drunken Lloyd who provided a positive breath test – blowing 105. He was taken into custody at Newport Police Station where he made full admissions and went on to blow a reading of 111.
Lloyd had come to be on the e-Scooter as he decided to utilise his account when walking home from a friend’s house following a night of drinking.
Defending, Barry Arnett said his client made an error of judgement and realises the error of his ways. He explained that Jared came to fall off the scooter as he misjudged a pinch point in the road. Mr Arnett also detailed that his client, who has no previous convictions, recently graduated with First Class Honours and faced a student loan repayment of £45,000.
In sentencing, magistrates said:
“It was foolish and stupid and you know it. It’s not a fun thing to do and you will suffer for it”.
Jared Lloyd has been disqualified from driving for 26 months and made subject to a community order for 12 months, with 110 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £85 costs with a £95 surcharge.
These kids on the scooters are a danger not only to themselves but to every driver or a car ,van ,lorry etc etc on the road . Someone will be killed or seriously injured on these scooters just mark my words .
How the hell can you get on one of these scooters without the slightest understanding of Highway Code it baffles me
In Sandown it seems to be mainly young idiots using the scooters. They drink down on the sea front then go off the wrong way up one way streets and keeping going backwards and forwards a dozen times. Twice I’ve nearly hit one coming down the wrong way.
Compared to the punishment dished out to people who get caught over the limit driving a car when already on a driving ban. This was a very harsh punishment. I suspect they were making an example out of him. So many times we see people getting just a 12 month ban for a lot worse.
Yet the bird who flipped a car and could easily have killed someone only got a 22 month ban. Right.
Often see two people riding one of these late at night in Ryde. Thought only one person was supposed to be on one?
Yes, that tells you how effective Beryl’s control is.
I really do wish these things were banned in all honesty. Like the majority of cyclists, the people who use these things treat the roads like a playground or a skate park and don’t give any consideration to other users or adhere to the Highway Code. They are considered as traffic, and as such they should be treated as such. If these things are to be continued, it should be made a basic requirement to wear a helmet at the very least.
Just ban the bloody things they are so dangerous and mostly used by kids that obviously have no licence but borrowed someone else’s. Only last week their were 2 kids using these on Arthurs hill heading towards lake mid afternoon one of which was a young girl with a young lad stood behind her, an RTC waiting to happen of which the parents no doubt would blame the driver of the other vehicle.