Sunderland teenager loses licence after drink driving on busy road

Connor Johnson, 19, was seen swerving his borrowed Nissan Qashqai on the A184 Felling Bypass at Gateshead by police in an unmarked car, a court heard.

Johnson, of city centre Mailings Close, smelled of booze when pulled over on Tuesday, October 21, prosecutor Emily Hunt said.

A breath test showed he was approaching twice the legal limit, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.

He is now starting a 17-month road ban after pleading guilty to driving with excess alcohol, his first criminal offence.

Ms Hunt said: “Officers were on patrol in an unmarked car when they saw a Nissan Qashqui swerving from the nearside to offside curb.

“They have stopped the vehicle. The driver smelled strongly of intoxicating liquor and his eyes were glazed.

“He gave a positive sample of breath. He is a man of good character, with no convictions or cautions.

“It’s a ban of between 17 and 22 months. It is aggravated by evidence of an unacceptable standard of driving.”

Johnson gave a reading in breath for alcohol of 61mcg. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Stephen Hamill, defending, said: “He instructs me that this is a classic case of having a couple of drinks while visiting a casino with friends.

“He had had something to eat. They were planning to take a taxi, but he thought that he was ok to drive.

“He should have erred on the side of caution and got that taxi.

“In reading the officer’s statement, the defendant believes his driving was not that bad.

“He says he knew it was a police car behind and that he was waiting for them to pull him over.

“He loses his good name by way of this conviction. He was driving his grandfather's car. He would ask to be offered the rehabilitation course.”

Magistrates also fined Johnson £120 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

They offered him a place on a drink driver rehabilitation programme, completion of which reduces a ban by around a quarter.