63-year-old Kenneth Gilpin, who was seen drinking red wine behind the wheel by concerned members of the public, has avoided an immediate jail sentence.
Kenneth Gilpin, 63, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Tuesday after previously pleading guilty to drink driving.
At the earlier hearing, Liz Miller, prosecuting, told the court that on the morning of 19th May, at around lunchtime, Police received reports that a man was seen drinking a bottle of red wine behind the wheel of his car – a Suzuki Vitara – on Steephill Road in Shanklin.
After looking for the vehicle in question by searching the surrounding area, officers located the Suzuki on High Street in the town and pulled the vehicle over. When questioned by officers once he had exited the car, Gilpin told them he lost his dog.
The 63-year-old failed a roadside breath test before failing a further evidential test at Newport Police Station returning a reading of 121 – the legal limit is 35.
Defending, Amy Hosell told the court that her client suffers from stress and anxiety and on that day in question instead of completing his usual breathing exercises, he took to drink instead. She also added that Gilpin – who had recently attempted to go cold turkey but became very ill afterwards – had begun attending alcoholics anonymous.
Magistrates warned Gilpin that it was a serious offence which passed the custody threshold but, after deliberations, they eventually handed him an 8-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was handed a 30-month driving ban and he was also made subject to a 12 month community order with 5 rehabilitation days and an alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement for 90 days.
Finally, he was ordered to pay a fine of £120, costs of £85 and a surcharge of £154.
These youngsters shouldn’t be allowed on the road!
Blame it on this pride rubbish
What does one have to do to get real punishment for the crime they comit
Steal money from the government.
I despair. Case after case the sentences are totally inadequate and are unlikely to be a deterrent.
Since endless masse immigration NEVER again will meaningful prisons sentences be able to be given as our prisons are filled with the dross from the world now, as well as our own.
See the real reason’why’
At the end of 2022, 88% of the prison population in the UK were British people. In 2018, 14% of the total population of the UK were born abroad.
So actually the prisons are filled with a higher percentage of British prisoners than there should be.
You wally
THAT depends on the definition of British.
A cat giving birth in a kennel still has kittens not puppies with all the traits of cats as they grow, not dogs.
So massaging the criteria and figures doesn’t alter the truth.
Well I’ve given you the facts and figures as they are. You’re the one wanting to massage them to fit in with your agenda.
True mate, for if a future American woman gave birth on Mars she would still have an American child, not a Martian, and it’s traits would be of an Earthling.
Ken Gilpin what a legend
that be fooken dangerous..the legend that is..
But just carry on driving !!!
So where is the ban from driving
How on earth do these defending lawyers manage to keep a straight face when delivering the mitigating excuses? It’s less believable than anything that was ever on Call My Bluff in the 70s. I’m half expecting sentence to be passed by Robert Robertson. To add insult to injury we’re probably all paying for this ludicrous sideshow through our taxes.
Call my Bluff – think that reference is lost on here grandpa. Most of the commenters on here can’t remember last week never mind the 70s. Aim lower with your references. Love Island related references will get you plenty of thumbs up.
No one seems to respect the law thesedays