An East Cowes man who crashed his car and abandoned it on Racecourse Roundabout earlier this year was found to be under the influence of drink at the time.
Louis Thorpe, 29, of Greenlands Road in East Cowes, pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court earlier this week.
Prosecuting, Lauren Stone told the court that at around 23:40 on 17th May 2023, Police were flagged down by a motorist on Racecourse Roundabout in Whippingham who alerted them to an abandoned vehicle by the side of the road.
The vehicle in question, a Seat Ibiza, was damaged with its wheels facing the wrong way and visible skid marks left on the carriageway. There was no sign of the driver at the scene.
After checking the database, officers from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary went to Thorpe’s home address. There they were told that Thorpe was at St Mary’s Hospital. He was soon found in the waiting room.
A blood test – conducted at the hospital – returned a reading of 112 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.
Defending, Barry Arnett said that Thorpe had gone out drinking and decided to drive home, despite being over the limit. He also added that Thorpe – who works at a convenience store on the Island – was a man of previous good character who had cooperated fully with the Police.
Magistrates handed Thorpe a 14-month driving ban. He was also ordered to pay a fine of £240. costs of £85 and a £96 surcharge fee.
After being left out of pocket due to recovery costs and the fact the vehicle in question was written off as a result of the crash, Magistrates concluded by saying to Thorpe that this was an ‘expensive night out by anyone’s standards’ as he left the courtroom.
Drink drivers should be put in Prison, no excuses for such an offence.
Drink or drug driving kills innocent people.
These smack/piss head drivers should get life time bans, why should we be put at risk by them?
What a ridiculous comment by the bench,, should they not be admonishing him for the fact that drink drivers kill others and that his behaviour was reckless, irresponsible and that he was fortunate that no one got killed that night? Money has nothing to do with it.
I put money on it he’s driving again, just now with no licence.