‘Struggling’ drink-driver hit a parked car in Bath at school run time

A 37-year-old Bath man has appeared before Bath magistrates to admit driving while more than twice over the legal alcohol limit.

Magistrates heard that Wayne Ricketts, of Windrush Close in Whiteway, had been arrested for drink-driving after colliding with a parked vehicle on 18th June at Ash Grove in Bath at 8.30am.

The prosecution highlighted that this was a peak time for children walking to school.

Ricketts was found to have 91 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Representing Ricketts on Wednesday 8th July, solicitor Mark O’Donnell told the court that it had been a high reading, but there had been very little damage to the parked vehicle.

He said Ricketts has been “struggling” with an alcohol problem.

Magistrates asked the Probation Service to prepare a pre-sentence report on Ricketts.

He was given an interim driving ban and will be sentenced on 9th September.