“You are a danger to yourself and members of the public. It’s disgraceful.”

A Chesterfield business owner has been sentenced following an incident involving drink driving.

Jason Shrimpton, 45, of Cliff Hill, Clowne, appeared at Chesterfield Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 5, following an incident in Shuttlewood.

The incident took place shortly after 8pm on Sunday, October 11, at Chesterfield Road, when police officers on patrol stopped a Land Rover car, being driven by the defendant.

The court heard officers reported evidence of bad driving.

Upon being stopped, Shrimpton, who was described as ‘unsteady on his feet’ admitted that he had a drink.

He initially refused a roadside breath test explaining he believed that the machines used for roadside testing did not always provide accurate readings.

However Shrimpton agreed to provide a sample at a police station.

The reading showed he had 97 micrograms of alcohol in his breath - almost three times over the legal limit of 35.

The court heard the defendant had a previous conviction for drink driving from 2020, and has since completed a dedicated drink driving course.

He said he had ‘a couple of drinks’ and ‘didn’t think he was that drunk’ but ‘accepts that he was over the legal limit’.

The defence asked the Judge to consider the fact Shrimpton’s previous conviction was from six years ago, and that he has complied with the requirements to complete a drink driving course following the conviction.

The defence said a long term disqualification would significantly impact Mr Shrimpton’s life explaining he worked five days a week and owns and runs building development company JB Shrimpton LTD with an estimated annual income of £300,000. He spent the weekends with his children from two relationships, asking for an increased fine instead.

But District Judge Jonathan Taaffe gave Shrimpton the maximum available disqualification of three years.

He has also been handed a prison sentence of 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months, and has been ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and costs of £85.

While sentencing Shrimpton, District Judge Taaffe said: “You failed to take the test at the roadside because you didn’t believe the roadside machines were accurate. You would have known you were well over the legal limit.

“There’s evidence of bad driving. You didn’t learn your lesson.

“You were behind the wheel of a lethal weapon.

“You knew you were above the legal limit. You are a danger to yourself and members of the public. It’s disgraceful.”