A drunk driver who took to the wheel whilst banned has narrowly avoided going to prison, as a Judge has deemed it ‘unjust’ to activate a suspended sentence order.
34-year-old Gregg Wicks, of Upton Road in Ryde, appeared before the Isle of Wight Crown Court for sentencing on Friday (7th February) for the offences of driving whilst disqualified and drink driving.
The court heard how, on 5th January, Wicks – a plumbing and heating company owner – was spotted by Police driving a white van in the area of Green Street in Ryde. Wicks pulled in to the car park of Abingdon Lodge and was quickly apprehended, with officers noting a smell of alcohol.
He failed a roadside breath test and went on to blow 57 on the evidential breathalyser after being taken into custody.
At the time of the offences Wicks was under a driving ban, which was due to run until today (9th February). This was imposed after he crashed into the wall of Northwood Cemetery in Cowes.
Wicks was also subject to a suspended sentence imposed by Gloucester Crown Court in November 2023 for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was handed a 24-month sentence suspended for a period of 2 years.
The 34-year-old has 6 previous convictions for 7 offences.
Defending, Jim Osborne said that his client was going through a tricky time over the Christmas period during which he was banned from staying with his partner and her family. As a result, Wicks’ mental health deteriorated and he was prescribed anti depressants.
Mr Osborne told the court that Wicks had turned his life around and was no longer drinking.
His Honour Judge Michael Bowes KC handed down a 3-year driving ban and a 12-month community order with an alcohol abstinence requirement of 72 days attached.
Judge Bowes said that Wicks’ ‘strong efforts’ to sort himself out meant it would be unjust to activate the suspended sentence order.
Wicks – expecting an immediate custodial sentence – was emotional in the dock as the sentence was delivered.
I cannot believe a person who is banned from driving
actually drives whilst banned, yet alone being drunk
whilst banned.
What ever happened to law and order in the country!
Obviously the 1st ban didn’t work, so what is
stopping this Numpty from re-offending, obviously
doesn’t respect law and order.
A plumbing and Heating Company I won’t be using!
Our can we keep our roads safe if we let people get
away with such crimes.
All drink and drug drivers need tagging!
Who wants this rat bag around your house to work , might get drunk and beat up my wife
He needs locking up.
Bet the scum was even more emotional when he got outside the court, must have laughed all the way home, just another pathetic lenient sentence.
Probably drove home, obviously doesn’t respect law and order
Lol
Would the Island’s magistrstes like to comment on the recent spate of pathetic punishment handed out?
I bet the outcome would be different if their families were put in danger by these idiots.
Also could they remind us why people are given suspended sentences, probably not as time after time repeat offenders get sent home to carry on breaking the law, putting others at risk.
Time to grow a pair and send these morons where they belong!
Though in this case it was a Crown Court hearing so a Judge would have heard it rather than Magistrates. But your point stands.
Well said Yammy and I for one completely agree with your comments. These so called Judges are not fit for purpose and should resign or be sacked, but we all know that will not happen. I noted in the above report that the numpty that was defending him said that , Wicks had turned his life around and was no longer drinking? So My brainy judge, if that was the case, how the hell did he get a reading on the evidential machine of 57 ???? No fooling you.