Motorist's several drinks over a day led to drink-drive ban

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, March 9, how Alex Wood, 23, of Linden Road, Creswell, was seen driving fast by police and was followed to his home address where he was tested and found to have been drink-driving.

Prosecuting solicitor Sarah Haslam said: “He was seen on the A616 Sheffield Road, at Creswell, driving a Vauxhall Corsa at speed before turning into his address and police spoke to him.”

Wood smelled of alcohol, according to Miss Haslam, and he was tested and found to have exceeded the alcohol drink-drive limit.

The defendant recorded 42microgrammes of alcohol in 100millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35microgrammes.

Wood, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit after the incident on February 20.

Defence solicitor Rebecca Meadows said Wood is an operator building wire and electrical components for the Ministry of Defence and he will be able to keep his job but will have to use public transport.

She added: “Over the space of ten hours he had one-and-a-half pints at the football and had two drinks at a friend’s and never thought he was over the limit.”

District Judge Andrew Davison fined Wood £250 and ordered him to pay a £25 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Wood was also disqualified from driving for 12 months which could be reduced to nine months if the defendant completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.