A 33-year-old videographer from the Isle of Wight, whose vehicle was destroyed following a crash on Middle Road earlier this year, has been banned from getting behind the wheel after admitting to drink driving.
Tom Court, of Afton Down in Freshwater, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Friday charged with 1 count of driving whilst alcohol level above limit.
Liz Miller, prosecuting, explained to Magistrates that Police were called to reports of a single vehicle collision involving a Land Rover Defender on 3rd April this year. Court told officers at the time that he swerved to avoid a pheasant in the road.
A roadside breath test was conducted, which Court failed. He later provided a blood sample that recorded 120 milligrams – the legal limit being 80.
Earlier this year Island Echo reported on the crash which occurred at just gone 01:00 in the morning. The 70-reg Land Rover Defender being driven by Court left the road and crashed into a verge and a tree before then rolling several times, destroying the vehicle. The car came to rest on its side and Tom was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Defending, Henry Farley said his client was deeply ashamed and full of remorse for his actions, which came about after drinking punch that was being passed around at Tapnell Farm Park. Mr Farley said that there was a ‘miscalculation’ on Court’s part after he enjoyed the punch following a video shoot at the West Wight attraction.
Magistrates decided to ban Court for a total period of 14 months. They also fined the 33-year-old £80 and ordered him to pay £85 costs with a £34 surcharge.
You could say he was “punch drunk”,
We’ll see if he does it again, if not and is not found driving on a ban, then he may well be ashamed of what he did. Just lucky he only hurt himself, that 4×4 would have killed anyone if he had hit a car. Its simple really, if you’re driving, never drink.
Drink drivers should lose their licence for life this could have been manslaughter .
Pheasant at 1am in the morning? | Dont think so fella – why not just tell the truth? You were drunk and lost control. Simple.
Funny considering his online name is court in the act
At least he is kind to wildlife, that ought to count for something. Never mind you loved ones could now be in a wheel chair for life, or 6ft under with you suffering the pain of loss every day.
That saved Pheasant (until shot by the toffs) will be grateful of his actions.
14 month ban…. Is that it?
Swerving for a pheasant at 1am…really?
More like a rabbit and a white one at that in his state.
Presumably a mix-up that the driver is familiarly referred to as ‘Tom’ instead of ‘Court’. It’s a serious offence and he was found guilty of it.
Yet another slap on the wrist sentence. I really have given up with the people who hand out these pitiful excuses for sentences lately. I sincerely hope that these law makers do not meet one of their ‘should still be banned’ drivers the next time they are out driving when drunk, and lose out as a result, because someone reading this article could be the next innocent victim.