Drink driver caught by cops after playing loud music in his car at 5.10am and upsetting neighbours

A Sunderland drink-driver was caught when he woke the neighbours by playing loud music in his motor at 5.10am.
The case was heard at South Tyneside Law Courts.  Picture by FRANK REID.The case was heard at South Tyneside Law Courts.  Picture by FRANK REID.
The case was heard at South Tyneside Law Courts. Picture by FRANK REID.

Daniel Howe, 23, was found at over twice the limit when police were called to silence him in Edgeworth Crescent, Seaburn.

Howe, of Dartford Road, Roker, even began to reverse away when they approached his vehicle on Sunday, November 1, a court heard.

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But he did so slowly due to his intoxicated state – and officers noticed his speech was also slurred when he came quietly soon afterwards.

Howe has now been banned from the roads for 17 months – and may also lose his job working with cars.

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “Police received an anonymous call that a vehicle was playing loud music.

“Officers attended and found a parked car in the street. The defendant started to reverse slowly, and he avoided colliding with parked cars.

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“Due to the defendant slurring his speech, the officers couldn’t understand what he was saying.

“He was required to provide a sample of breath. He was taken to Middle Engine Lane, where the police station procedure was conducted.”

Ms Duffy said Howe gave a reading of 81mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Greg Flaxen, defending, said: “As well as his punishment, Mr Howe may lose his job because of this.

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“He got in his vehicle. He explains that he was going to a friend’s house that was within walking distance.

“It’s something that will frustrate him for the foreseeable future. He gets in his car and accepts that he drove and drank.

“He says that he was feeling fine. Someone may accept that they are feeling fine but as soon as they’ve had a drink, they should not go near a car.

“He is a man of previous good character.”

Howe, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, was also fined £250 and must pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

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Elaine McCulloch, chair of the bench, said: “I think you’ve probably learnt your lesson.”

Magistrates offered Howe the opportunity to sit a drink-driver rehabilitation course, which reduces a ban by 25 per cent on successful completion.