A Niton man who was 3x the drink drive limit when he crashed his van in Whitwell back in November has been handed a 28-month driving ban.
Gareth Chilcott, 35, of Newport Road in Niton, pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared in front of Magistrates this morning (Tuesday).
As previously reported by Island Echo, Chilcott was involved in a crash on Kemming Road in Whitwell at around 18:30 on Sunday 20th November. The incident saw Chilcott, driving his white VW Transporter, collide head-on with a parked vehicle of the same make and model.
Police attended the scene and arrested Chilcott for drink driving. He was charged the next day.
Ann Smout, prosecuting, said officers at the scene noticed Chilcott was under the influence of alcohol. His speech was slurred and he couldn’t stand up properly. He was ordered to complete a roadside breath test which returned a reading of 101 – at the Police station he returned a score of 105 in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35.
Defending himself, Chilcott told the court that he was an idiot and that he has lost all his work as a self-employed builder as a result of having no vehicle. When asked by Magistrates how often he drinks, he admitted being a regular drinker but said he didn’t feel he had a problem with alcohol.
In a report read out by Probation, it was heard that Chilcott had bumped into a friend after work and had headed to a pub in Ventnor, consuming around 6 pints. It also said that Chilcott was ashamed of himself and that the loss of his work and vehicle would deem him unable to make payments on his substantial debts.
He told Probation that he lost control of his vehicle as a result of his dog slipping its collar and jumping at the steering wheel. He believes he would have been able to get home without incident otherwise.
Chilcott was previously convicted of drink driving back in 2007.
Magistrates handed Gareth Chilcott a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work attached. He was also given a 28-month driving ban and ordered to pay £40 costs with a £114 surcharge.
Such a lenient outcome.
6 pints! Then this idiot got in his van. You cannot educate stupid and this fella is most definitely that………..and selfish, he could have killed some innocent person. Just over 2 years is a good result.
Drink driving law should be amended. Zero tolerance, zero alcohol consumption if driving. This takes away any doubt from motorists if they think they are ok to still drive or ride a motorcycle.
Should be banned for life.
Once again a sick and pathetic joke of a sentence, drunk and drug drivers should be banned for life especially if they are repeat offenders, as he is.
He has always bumped into friends to get drunk with, because they would be drinking in the same establishments he frequented. So must of been ashamed at his decision to drive whilst totally drunk almost every day for years!!! Frequently saw him driving with his dog sat on his lap, so that’s a likely story. Has total disregard for every element of driving & Highway rules & doubt this ban will stop him from continuing. As for loosing out on work due to receiving his ban. Most switched on respectable self employed people would have said to their drinking partner, I can only have a soft drink because I have to drive & my work relies on me having a license! So instead of feeling sorry for himself, give a thought to the 3rd party.
I know him, but wish I didn’t. The bloke is a complete half wit and has done this plenty of times. Drinks in the social at Ventnor when he’s not banned from the place for been a prick when drinking.
Can’t pay off his debts but can do £25 / £30 on tea time drinks session!