A school teacher who was found slumped at the wheel of a car he had pushed down the road has been handed 10 penalty points on his licence.
Joseph Charles Cooper, 34, of Dorset Gardens in Brighton, was 3x the drink-drive limit when he was arrested and breathalysed by Police following an incident in Shanklin on 9th April.
The Isle of Wight Magistrates Court heard this morning (Friday) how Cooper – a science teacher in the Hove area of East Sussex – had been out drinking in Sandown during a visit to the Isle of Wight. He caught a bus back to Shanklin and went on to visit a friend.
At around 00:45 in the morning, a witness spotted a Ford Maverick (pictured) being pushed down Howard Road. He then discovered that a neighbour’s car was missing and alerted Police to the situation.
Officers responded to the scene and found 34-year-old Cooper slumped over the wheel of the car, which was partially blocking Sandown Road – the main road between Lake and Shanklin. He was arrested and taken to Ryde Police Station where he blew 108 on the evidential breathalyzer – the legal limit being 35.
Defending, Oscar Vincent said his client – described as a professional, law-abiding citizen – was dealing with a great deal of stress due to family illness, difficulties selling a small apartment and financial difficulties due to his partner being made redundant. All that stress had manifested itself in this one-off incident, which Cooper had given a detailed and frank explanation to.
Mr Vincent explained that the father-of-one blanked out and doesn’t remember anything of the incident until the point that Police arrested him. He added that the keys were not in the ignition and that no damage had been caused to the vehicle or any other property.
Having been suspended from his teaching job, the court heard how Cooper has attended 7 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and is due to meet a counsellor.
Joseph Cooper pleaded guilty to vehicle interference and being in charge of a motor vehicle whilst alcohol level about limit and was handed 10 penalty points and fined £415. He was also ordered to pay £55 costs with a £42 surcharge.
Oscar Vincent said his client – described as a professional, law-abiding citizen
…..
clearly not, judging by the actions of his client
Which member of the IWC is he going to see?
I HAVE ALL WAYS THOUGHT THAT IN CHARGE OF MOTOR VEHICLE WHILST OVER THE DRINK DRIVE LIMIT AUTOMATIC BAN?
erm,..not sure I understand this reporting…
“this one-off incident, which Cooper had given a detailed and frank explanation to”…
“Mr Vincent (defending) explained that the father-of-one blanked out and doesn’t remember anything of the incident”
so did he give a ‘detailed and frank explanation’ or does he ‘not remember anything’?
surely it can’t be both ?
We’ve all been under a lot of stress, I’ve been stuck indoors for 14 months. Don’t see me going out getting pissed and trying to steal a car.