Drink-driver was caught for a third time

Police were called to the A628 at 7.20am on February 2 after receiving reports of an accident, High Peak Magistrates’ Court heard. On arrival, they found a Volkswagen Jetta which was embedded in a dry stone a wall, prosecutor John Cooper said.

Mcupi Sithole was sat in the back of the car but two witnesses told officers he was the driver. He failed a roadside breath test so was taken back to the police station where he provided a reading of 68, almost twice the legal limit of 35.

Sithole, 42, of Maltravers Crescent, Sheffield, admitted drink-driving. He had previous convictions for the same offence from 2003 and 2005, the court heard.

Kirsten Collings, defending, said Sithole had been staying at a friend’s house and had drunk brandy the night before but when the friends he was staying with had an argument, he took the decision to drive home.

She added: “Mcupi Sithole accepts driving the vehicle and he accepts the reading.

“He and his wife are devastated by these proceedings.

“If he could turn the clock back, he would.

“He is married with two children and lives in rented accommodation. Despite the record, both him and his wife have confirmed that are no issues in relation to alcohol.

“He will lose his job as a result of these proceedings.”

Sithole was given a community order with 50 hours’ unpaid work. He must pay £85 costs and a £60 surcharge and was banned from driving for 36 months.