Drink-driver landed with £900 bill

Expensive night out also ends in ban

A DRINK too many cost a Newbury motorist nearly £900.

For when Nicholas James Tomlinson came barreling round a bend in Hermitage on the way home from the pub, officers were waiting.

Not only had the 30-year-old had too much to drink, he also had no insurance nor a valid driving licence, Newbury magistrates heard on Thursday, September 3.

Jennifer Riddell, prosecuting, said: “Officers conducting patrols in Hermitage saw a white Ford Transit exceeding the speed limit.

“A check on the Police National Computer showed that there was no insurance.

“The officers followed it down Everington Lane and caused it to stop in Wellhouse Lane.

“The driver smelled of alcohol and tests subsequently showed 48mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.”

The legal limit is 35mcg.

Mr Tomlinson, who lives at Maple Crescent, Shaw, admitted driving after drinking more than the legal limit on August 12.

He also admitted driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence on the same occasion.

The court heard he also has previous convictions.

Ben May, defending, said: “He did have a provisional licence, although that did not entitle him to drive.

“He had been out with friends for a meal and wrongly thought he would be all right to drive.

“He has no convictions for similar offences.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month driving ban and fined Mr Tomlinson £600.

He was also ordered to pay a £150 criminal courts charge plus £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge, bringing his total bill to £865.