Chesterton drink-driver banned from driving (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Chesterton drink-driver banned from driving

10:20am Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News By Ian Craig

A CHESTERTON man who told police he had drunk six pints of beer after crashing his car last month has been banned from driving for 20 months.

Anthony Paul Jones of Chesterton Lane appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates Court last week where he pleaded guilty to driving while more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.

The court heard police were called to a crash at the junction of Somerford Road and Spratsgate Lane in Cirencester at 5.40pm on Sunday, December 2, 2012.

A Vauxhall Vectra had veered off the road and crashed into a lamppost.

The crash came just two days after the launch of Gloucestershire police’s anti drunk-driving campaign.

Heidi Price, prosecuting, told the court Jones had immediately owned up to his crime when police arrived at the scene.

“He accepted it was stupid of him to get into the car after he had been drinking,” she said.

Nick Cooper, defending, told the court Jones – who has no previous convictions – was “extremely remorseful” for his actions.

Chairman of the bench Ken Turner banned Jones for driving for 20 months, but said this would be reduced to 15 if he completed a drink-drive awareness course. He was also ordered to pay a £450 fine, £85 costs and a £45.50 victim’s surcharge.

Passing sentence, Mr Turner told Jones driving any kind of vehicle would breach the order.

“It can be a battery powered scooter it can be anything so you must be aware of that,” he said.