Sunderland dad caught drink driving after ex-partner 'blocked him' from seeing daughter on Christmas Day

Liam Pickford, 29, of Sedgeletch Road, Houghton, said he “had a few drinks and then drove home” after his former partner blocked him from being part of the December 25 celebrations.

He was pulled over by police on Christmas Eve while driving his Toyota Hilux in High Street, Easington Lane, and found to be around two-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit.

Jobless Pickford has now been banned from the roads for 20 months and hit with fines and court costs of nearly £240.

Prosecutor Paul Anderson told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “It’s Christmas Eve and if you’re going to be stopped for potentially drink-driving over the Christmas period, then Christmas Eve is most likely.

“He was stopped by the police and it was clear that the defendant had been drinking.

“There was mouth alcohol present and so the police moved on to a blood sample.

“The limit is 80mcgs in blood, so he was just approaching two-and-a-half times the limit.

“He’s got some previous convictions but nothing recently and nothing related.”

The court heard Pickford gave a reading of 191mgs of alcohol in 100mls of blood. The legal limit is 80mgs.

Pickford, who represented himself in court, told magistrates: “I’d had a lot of hassle from my ex-partner.

“I was told that I wouldn’t get to see my little girl on Christmas Day.

“I had a few drinks and then drove home. I’ve lost my job.”

It was also said he had three points on his driving licence but no previous driving-related convictions.

Dorothy Gibson, chair of the bench, told hom: “It’s not a very bright thing to do on Christmas Eve.”

Pickford was fined £120 and must also pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

The court offered him the opportunity to reduce his driving ban by a quarter by sitting the drink-driver rehabilitation course.

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