Pub employee fined for drink-driving

Midgham man caught jumping a red light in Thatcham

A PUB employee who drove home after an 11-hour shift had drunk nearly three times the legal limit.

Police pulled over 22-year-old Benjamin Wakefield as he ran a red light in the early hours of the morning, Newbury magistrates heard.

Helen Waite, prosecuting on Thursday, May 26, said: “It was around 3.30am when police spotted a black car pulling out from a junction in Thatcham in contravention of a red light. When they spoke to the driver they could smell alcohol.”

Tests subsequently showed 85mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Mr Wakefield, of Bath Road, Midgham, admitted driving a Ford Fiesta on the A4 Bath Road in Thatcham after drinking more than the legal limit on May 8. He has no previous convictions.

Belinda Knight, defending, handed in character references and said her client’s conviction had placed a traineeship he had been offered in jeopardy.

District Judge Davinder Lachhar remarked: “An accident could easily have happened resulting in injury or even death.”

Mr Wakefield was banned from driving for two years, fined £350 and ordered to pay £85 costs plus a £35 surcharge.