Threat of jail hangs over Sunderland drink-driver following 'extremely' high reading

Gordon Carter, 67, provided a breath test reading which was nearly four times the legal limit after being pulled over in his silver BMW 3 Series.

Carter, of Stanley Street, Castletown, initially gave a slightly lower reading at the roadside in North Hylton Road, Marley Potts, on Saturday, July 11.

But that had jumped by the time of an evidential breath test at a police station after his arrest, prosecutor Yetunde Alake told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Carter pleaded guilty to a drink-drive charge, after which district Judge Zoe Passfield told him his reading of 124mcg in breath – against a legal limit of 35mcg – was “extremely” high.

It was enough for her to adjourn his case and order an all-options report, putting custody on the table for Carter when he returns to be sentenced.

Mrs Alake told the hearing: “Two police officers were on patrol when they saw a BMW being driven erratically at speed.

“The car was stopped and the driver was spoken to. His speech was slurred, his eyes were glazed and he smelled of intoxicating liquor.

“The officers got him out of the vehicle, and he gave a roadside breath test of 108mcg.

“He was arrested and taken into custody, where his reading was 124mcg.

“He has no previous convictions and today loses his good character.”

Peter Thubron, defending, spoke only to confirm he agreed a date needed to be fixed for Carter to be sentenced.

Judge Passfied said that would happen on Wednesday, August 19 at the same court and told Carter: “You will be given credit for pleading guilty, but this was an extremely high reading.

“Before I can deal with your case, I’m going to ask the Probation Service to speak to you and provide a pre-sentence report, to recommend the sentence most appropriate for you.”

The judge also handed Carter an interim driving ban, telling him she hoped he had not driven to court.

In reply, he assured her he had taken the bus, leading her to add: “Very sensible.”