Man sleeping it off in car loses licence

Mark George Shepheard, formerly of Hewins Wood Farm, Bradfield and now of Manor Farm House, Yattendon, was scuppered by a previous conviction for drink driving when he appeared before Newbury magistrates last Thursday.
Naomi Edwards, prosecuting, said that police were called by a member of the public who saw the 27-year-old apparently unconscious in his Audi in Pangbourne. “The engine was running and the lights were on,” she said. “An ambulance which had also been called was sent away when police woke him up.
"It was clear he had been drinking and he was unsteady on his feet.”
Tests later showed 60mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Mr Shepheard admitted being in charge of a motor vehicle after drinking more than the legal limit.
Representing himself, Mr Shepheard said that he had driven a short distance after a night out but, realising he might be over the limit, had pulled into a layby to sleep it off.
He added: “I had no intention of driving anywhere until later.”
Unlike in a case of drink driving, courts have discretion as to whether to impose a ban for being in charge of a vehicle in similar circumstances.
Mr Shepheard pleaded to keep his licence, saying he would lose his job if banned, but presiding magistrate Michael Williams pointed to a previous conviction for drink driving in 2006.
Mr Shepheard was banned from driving for six weeks and fined £240, with £85 costs and £24 victim surcharge.