Self-employed plumbers decision to drink and drive to have disastrous consequences - court
Gary James Cripps, of Florence Gardens, Thatcham, is now unable to ply his trade until his driving ban ends, the court was told.
Clare Barclay, prosecuting, said the 44-year-old was stopped by police just after 8pm as he drove a Landrover Freelander along Bowling Green Road in Thatcham and that the officers smelled alcohol on his breath.
Tests subsequently showed 199mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine in his system - almost double the legal limit of 107mg, the court heard.
Mr Cripps admitted driving after drinking more than the legal limit on March 21 this year.
Mike Davis, defending, said: “Officers gave no reason why they stopped him - it’s a mystery. But once they establish excess alcohol, they don’t have to explain. This was a Friday evening and he and a friend had planned to go to Newbury races. The weather was so bad thery went for a meal instead and he then drove them to the pub.
“He had planned to catch a train from the racecourse station but assumed he would be okay to drive after a meal. The consequences will be - I don’t think I put this too highly - disastrous for him.”
Mr Davis added: “He will almost certainly be unemployed until his inevitable driving ban ends.”
Mr Cripps was fined £250 and ordered to pay £85 costs plus a statutory surcharge of £25. He was banned from driving for 17 months.
