A Freshwater man who was caught drink driving after stopping to ask for directions has been banned from the roads.
Colin Smith, 58, of Colwell Road in Freshwater, pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday (14th March).
Ann Smout, prosecuting, told the court that at 19:00, Police officers on patrol noticed a large group of children chatting to a male on Colwell Lane near the junction with Solent Gardens.
Officers stopped at the scene and spoke to Smith – who was standing next to his white Volvo – and asked him if he had been drinking, which Smith admitted to doing so.
A roadside breath test was conducted which returned a positive result. The 58-year-old was arrested and taken to Newport Police Station where a further 2 evidential tests were conducted – the lowest of which returned a reading of 57.
Representing himself, Smith said that he appreciated the seriousness of what he’d done and that he wasn’t a regular drinker but had some drinks after what he described as a ‘stressful week’ meeting a print deadline. Smith added that he had admitted driving the car despite not being seen in the vehicle by Police.
The 58-year-old publisher had pulled over to ask for directions, despite living just minutes away from where he was seen.
Magistrates handed Smith a 16-month driving ban. He was fined £715 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £286 surcharge fee.
Ha Ha a island driver got lost on a small island. that sums it up about you lot over there
Look out for us though Bob. We’re coming your way.
Chatting to children!! Hmmmm
Ban for life ,,the only answer to put a stop to drink driving
You’d destroy someone’s life over a simple mistake?!? What’s the worst that could have happened?
Are you for real ? Drinking then driving is not a simple mistake… also stopping whilst drunk and chatting to ‘ children’ really…
If children wanted to be safe on the road they’d be driving cars… Natural selection
Catch me if you guys can
Drink driving is so common now that it’ll never be stopped. The list through the courts is never ending. Obviously the message to not drink or drug drive is not being received.