A man was caught drink-driving on his way home from visiting his girlfriend in Bath, magistrates heard.
Photo © Avon & Somerset Police
James Haley, of Fosseway at Clandown, was in court on Monday 29th September to admit driving near his home while over the alcohol limit.
Prosecutor Kevin Withey said that on 4th September a police officer on patrol in a marked vehicle had seen a Citroen being driven “erratically”, swerving across the carriageway and coming close to street furniture.
When the vehicle stopped, the officer spoke to Haley, who was the sole occupant, and smelt an intoxicant.
Haley was said to be cooperative and took a roadside breath test which he failed. He was arrested and taken to Keynsham Police Centre where he gave a specimen of breath which revealed he was “not far over” the limit.
He had 43 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mgs.
A warrant without bail had been issued on 25th September for Haley’s arrest as he had failed to attend his court hearing, but it was officially withdrawn.
Lisa Rowley, representing Haley as duty solicitor, said the 53-year-old had got his dates confused and had thought he had to attend on 29th September.
She said that on 4th September Haley had drunk two bottles of Budweiser and eaten a pasta meal at his girlfriend’s home in the Twerton area of Bath before driving home; he had been “naive to think he was not over the limit”.
Miss Rowley said Haley denied driving erratically and that there had been temporary traffic lights which had meant cars were braking suddenly.
He had also recently broken some ribs, which might have impaired his driving, she said.
Magistrates banned Haley from the road for 13 months but that will be reduced by 25% as he intends to do a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
He was also fined £480 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £192 and prosecution costs of £85.
