HGV driver lost licence, job and home after drinking five pints of Guinness before driving home

An HGV driver has lost his licence, his job and his home after being caught over the limit after downing five pints of Guinness and getting behind the wheel.
By Gareth Crickmer
Published 5th Nov 2020, 06:00 GMT
The defendant had been working on the Testos road project before the incidentThe defendant had been working on the Testos road project before the incident
The defendant had been working on the Testos road project before the incident

John Pearson, 56, went to the pub after clocking off at the Testos road improvement project on the border of South Tyneside and Sunderland.

He then attempted to drive the half mile home to East Avenue, Harraton, Washington, but was stopped en route by police on Sunday, October 4, a court heard.

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A breath test showed he was over twice the legal limit, having made what his defence solicitor Richard Copsey described as an “incredibly stupid mistake”.

The dad has now been disqualified from driving for 20 months and hit with fines and court costs of £239.

Magistrates in South Tyneside heard a glowing report of Pearson by his employer – but he will still be sacked and must rent out his property to make ends meet.

Prosecutor Ian Martin said: “On the night in question, officers were responding to reports of a suspected drink-driver and they had cause to stop the defendant.

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“An officer approached the vehicle and the driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

“A roadside breath test showed he was over the limit and he was taken to the station where another procedure was done.”

Pearson, who has no previous convictions, gave a breath test reading of 82mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Mr Copsey told the court: “He’s done something incredibly stupid and it’s going to have drastic consequences.

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“He is an HGV driver who was working at Testos and saw a friend and the football was on and he’s drank Guinness and has attempted to drive home.

“He said that he’s had five pints of Guinness and hadn’t eaten. He will lose his job. He can’t afford to keep his house going and he will have to rent it out.

“When his ban is up, he should be able to get back into well-paid work.”

Pearson was fined £120 and must pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

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