Former Sunderland soldier vows never to drive again after crash while over the limit

David Lindley, 67, of Stockton Terrace, Sunderland, safely stopped when the car in front of his Ford Kuga braked – but was then hit from behind by another motor at 9.20pm on Friday, January 24.

The ex-Royal Hussars trooper told police he had consumed just one pint while meeting up with an old regimental comrade – but his solicitor put it at a large brandy, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

A roadside breath test proved positive and a follow-up analysis at a police station revealed he was almost twice the drink-drive limit.

Prosecutor Rachael Glover told the court: “Officers responded to a report of a collision. One of the drivers identified himself and told police that he had had one pint.

“A roadside breath test was positive and a Camic test was positive. When interviewed he said that he had had a pint in a pub.”

The court heard Lindley gave a reading of 66mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Ms Glover said he had also received 10 points on his licence in 2015 for being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit.

Peter Thubron, defending, said: “He served 19 years for Queen and country. He was out that night in order to meet a friend from the regiment who had travelled up from the south.

“He tells me that he’d had one large brandy. I only think that his friend had been consoling him. He has a mobility vehicle which has now been removed from him and he doesn’t intend to drive any more.

“The car in front of him stopped and he stopped but the man behind him didn’t. It wasn’t his fault. We simply have an excess alcohol to deal with.”

As well as the three-year driving ban, magistrates fined married Lindsey, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, £265 and he must pay £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.