A coach driver has been handed a 14-month driving ban as a result of passengers finding him drunk behind the wheel – after he had already driven through Sandown’s busy High Street.
Daniel McGeady, 55, of Pope Road in Wolverhampton, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court this morning (Friday) charged with drink driving on 6th May this year.
The court heard from prosecutor Liz Miller that at around 09:30 in the morning, a member of the public called Police reporting that they believed their coach driver was over the drink-drive limit.
Officers responded to Pier Street, Sandown where they found McGeady – with blood on his face – sitting on the steps of his vehicle. He failed a roadside breathalyser and later went on to blow 51 at the Police station – the legal limit being 35.
Magistrates heard from the Crown Prosecution Service that 40 passengers were about to board the Volvo coach – BV18 YCH – but refused to due to the state of the driver, who had to be roused from his bed at The Royal Pier Hotel. Passengers confirmed to Police that they had seen McGeady – a coach driver of 15 years – driving the vehicle from the coach park to Pier Street.
Defending, Michael McGoldrick said that his client had enjoyed a couple of drinks early in the evening of 5th May and was walking back to his hotel when he was mugged, suffering a blow to the back of the head. His mobile phone was stolen.
Mr McGoldrick told the court that his client couldn’t remember what then happened until he woke up the next morning – but accepts he must have had more to drink.
Magistrates banned Daniel McGeady from driving for 14 months, fined him £120 and ordered him to pay £50 costs with a £34 surcharge.
14 months? Should have been 5 years.
A total joke 14 months should be ban for life
I personally think he should lose his coach license permanently not just 14 months also the coach companies need to get alcohol checks on the vehicles before the driver can start the coach
If he was mugged why didnt he report it when he got back to the hotel
Because he probably wasn’t just a try to cover his ass comment
He should have got a life time ban from driving any vehicle & it should include beryl scooters,
He should have had his PCV Licence revoced for life. The PCV is the licence to drive buses and coaches.
I know if he was and island taxi driver he would have had his taxi driving licence revoked by the IOW council
He made a mistake, hopefully he will learn from this. His ban is long enough. I forgot people on this social platform are so perfect lol.
That’s not a mistake it’s pure and simple stupidity when you have 49 peoples lives in your hands
He should of been banned from holding a pcv licence ever again
mugged or fell over drunk and lost his wallet?
Mugged?? the only people that were mugged was the magistrates
Glad all you people that commented on this are not magistrates
They wouldn’t qualify.
Another total BS excuse to try and weasel out of the crime. If he was mugged how come he was able to buy more drink? did the so called muggers leave him his wallet/a few quid to tide him over? complete lies – as a person of trust with the lives of his passengers in his hands for which he is legally liable he should go to jail for a long time and never be allowed to drive anything again.
Good the people came forward and reported this as not only them could of been injured or worse with a coach that size could of wiped out loads
14 m ban not enough and the pathetic fine even worse
To be honest is there a coach / bus company that would take him on ????.
He would have to declare his fine and ban so that’s one good thing to come out of it !!!!!
Still should have been a longer ban though ……
And as so many have said mugged or fell over drunk ???????
To be fair i think i would need a drink driving old biddies around all day.
And having found himself in Sandown