A serial drink-driver from Bath has been given a suspended jail sentence and banned from the road for five years.
Library image | Photo © Avon & Somerset Police
David Liddell was more than three times over the alcohol limit on 6th October last year when he was seen driving erratically on Gloucester Road in Bath before crashing. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Liddell was found to have 121 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of his breath. The legal limit is 35.
The 52-year-old admitted his guilt at a hearing at Bath Magistrates’ Court at the end of October when the bench requested a pre-sentence report from the Probation Service. He was also given an interim driving ban.
Liddell, of Bladud Buildings, was back in court on Wednesday 14th January for sentencing by District Judge Lynne Matthews.
It was revealed that he has previous convictions for drink-driving in 2005 and 2019.
Liddell was represented by solicitor Ned Kemp, who told the court that prior to 2005, his client had worked as a professional auditor but had been knocked off his pedal cycle in an accident which had changed a lot about him.
A character reference was submitted to the judge along with medical evidence and a letter from Liddell’s partner, who is said to be “dismayed”.
Mr Kemp said Liddell is “extremely, extremely remorseful” and since the incident last October has cut down on his drinking.
He is currently doing some removal work and wants to get back into full-time employment. Mr Kemp added: “He is a go-getter.”
District Judge Matthews told Liddell: “You are a danger and a menace on the road.”
She jailed him for 14 weeks but suspended it for 12 months because of the likelihood of rehabilitation.
Under his community order, Liddell will undergo alcohol treatment for six months and must also complete up to 10 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.
He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £154 surcharge.
Liddell’s five-year disqualification runs from the start of the interim ban which was 29th October.
District Judge Matthews warned him that if he doesn’t comply with the requirements of the community order, drives while over the limit or while banned, he will be going to prison.
