Drink-driver asked police for directions, court hears

Motorist had to abandon funeral

A DRINK-driver en route to a family funeral made a big mistake by asking police for directions.

Before setting off for the service in memory of his wife’s relative, Lee David Andrews had been persuaded to watch some football with friends.

And, while doing so, he drank nearly three times the legal limit.

The subsequent arrest marked the father of four’s second drink-driving offence within 10 years – and meant he never made it to West Berkshire Crematorium just outside Thatcham, Newbury magistrates heard.

Jennifer Riddell, prosecuting, said on Thursday, January 7: “Just after 2pm, he was arrested on the A4 Bath Road at Midgham.”

Tests subsequently showed 226mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system, magistrates were told.

The legal limit is 80mg.

The 46-year-old, of Dell Road, Tilehurst, admitted driving a Vauxhall Astra after drinking more than the legal limit on November 4 last year.

His previous drink-driving conviction was sustained in 2009, the court heard.

Robert Jakes, defending, said: “He is under no illusion that this is a serious offence.”

He added: “He was due to go to the funeral of a relative of his wife, who is a part-time cook at a local school.

“But then some mates asked him to watch the football and he ended up drinking quite a lot.

“Then another friend who was supposed to drive him to the funeral let him down and he panicked.

“He made the foolish decision to drive himself – but he got lost. He pulled into a layby to check directions and he actually wound down his window to ask directions of a police officer.”

Mr Jakes added: “There was the smell of alcohol on his breath. He didn’t actually get to the funeral at all.”

Presiding magistrate Brenda Harding reminded Mr Andrews that it was his second drink-driving offence within 10 years and added: “This was a very high level of alcohol.”

Mr Andrews, described as a groundsworker, was banned from driving for four years.

He was also made subject to a 12-month community order with 120 hours’ unpaid community work requirement.

Finally, he was ordered to pay £85 costs plus a £60 victim surcharge.