A 73-year-old man from Ryde, who was caught driving whilst almost 3 times the drink-drive limit as he popped to Tesco for a pint of milk, has been banned from the roads.
Richard Fraser-Tait, of Marymead Close in Ryde, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday) after he failed to appear before the same court last Friday. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was detained at home early on Monday morning. However, it was accepted that this was due to a possible COVID contact.
Ann Smout, prosecuting, detailed that at 22:40 on 24th October this year, Fraser-Tait was spotted driving along Marlborough Road by on-duty Police. They followed for a short distance and saw Fraser-Tait swerving over the white line at a low speed of just 15mph, before then coming to a complete stop at an empty roundabout for approximately 15 seconds. The car, a red Fiat Panda, then continued into High Park Road and pulled up on double yellow lines.
The court heard that Richard Fraser-Tait had been drinking at the Simeon Arms pub that night but needed a pint of milk. He decided to drive to Tesco but when stopped by Police he provided a reading of 101 on the breathalyser, increasing to 103 at the Police station.
Defending, Barry Arnett said that his client had been drinking whisky non-stop the day before but had consumed just 1 pint at the pub. He affirmed that his client was compos mentis when stopped by officers and was fully co-operative, going on to say that Richard would not have driven if he knew he was over the limit.
Mr Arnett put a case forward that Fraser-Tait was not suitable for any unpaid work requirement due to his ill health, having recently spent 10 weeks in hospital for a major heart operation.
Magistrates handed the 73-year-old a 25-month driving ban, a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation days and ordered him to pay a £120 fine, £85 costs and a £95 surcharge.
At three times over the limit im amazed he was even still conscious – unless of course his tolerance is well up there due to no doubt repeated episodes like this. Get him off the roads forever.
Old enough to know better….errr, no. These people never learn. 25 months off the road, good job, good stop. Well done IOW Police. These people could kill when they get behind the wheel. I don’t feel sorry for him at all.
Maybe the community projects out there to help the pensioners should run a program to bring their understand of what is expected of a driver up to date. When they passed the test people drank and drove all the time. It was routine. They need to be told that it is unacceptable these days. As for the younger generation that drink and drive or drive when stoned. They know the rules and what is expected and so have no excuse.
Pensioners know full well drink-driving is dangerous and selfish. And illegal.
They don’t need extra resources allocated to reminding them.
Everyone knows.
Two year ban well deserved IMO.
Comps mentos – yeh my ass . He was fully aware he was still over the limit. There must be a shop in walking distance for milk for Christ’s sake. Pitiful defence put forward regarding health. Take this idiot off the road for life. Walking would do his recovery from heart surgery good. Could have done serious damage or worse still killed somebody. Bloody twat.
Not the first time!!!