Motorist who was almost three times the limit when stopped by police has been banned from driving

Anthony Ferry, 34, raised the suspicions of police due to his driving, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.

He was pulled over in his 2009-registration Vauxhall Vivaro on Sunday, May 10, in Marigold Crescent, Houghton.

Police demanded he take a breath test and he gave a reading of 102 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Magistrates were told the legal limit is 35.

Ferry has now been disqualified from driving for 25 months, but was not fined for his major motoring transgression.

Prosecutor Grace Taylor said: “At about 9pm officers had cause to stop the defendant’s vehicle, due to the manner of his driving.

“After speaking to the defendant, it was obvious that he had been drinking. He gave a roadside breath test which was positive.

“He was taken to the police station, where he gave two samples on the CAMIC device, the lowest of which was 102 microgrammes.”

She added: “He has a conviction for dangerous driving from 2015 for which he was banned from driving for two years. He passed an extended test in March last year.

“The disqualification period is for between 23 and 28 months.”

Alaister Naismith, defending, said only: “I won’t take up much of your time. You’ve heard what the sentencing guidelines are.”

However, Mr Naismith confirmed that Ferry, who is currently unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic, was “motivated” to take part in the Probation Service’s Drink Impaired Drivers’ Programme.

The court heard the scheme teaches about the dangers of driving while drunk and raise awareness by showing motorists how alcohol impairs their ability to drive safely.

As well as the driving ban, magistrates sentenced Ferry to an 18-month community order.

It requires him to complete 10 rehabilitation days’ work with the Probation Service, undergo the Drink Impaired Drivers’ Programme, and carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

Freey, of Iris Terrace, Bournmoor, was also ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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