Washington motorist involved in two-car smash was over twice the limit after going out night before
A Washington motorist who crashed his car after topping up on booze the morning after the night before has been banned from the roads.
Brandon Sandford, 21, was involved in a two-vehicle smash in the town’s Barmston Way at around 12.30pm on Saturday, July 26, a court heard. The other motorist, who is thought to have been driving illegally, fled the scene but Sandford, of Stanhope, Oxclose, stayed to face the music.
A roadside breath test showed he was over twice the legal limit, a reading confirmed by an evidential breathalyser at a police station after his arrest. He is now starting an 18-month disqualification – and must pay over £1,000 in fines and costs – after pleading guilty to a drink drive charge.
Prosecutor Liz Raby told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “Officers were called to a two-vehicle road traffic collision. One vehicle was the defendant’s, who identified himself at the scene. He co-operated with the roadside procedure and gave a reading of 74mcg.
“A CAMIC breathalyser had a reading of 72mcg. He reports today, having been a man of previous good character. The officer reports that two vehicles were in collision and had caused the traffic to block the road.”
Sandford’s evidential breath test reading of 72mcg of alcohol is against the legal limit of 35mcg. Paul McAlindon, defending, said Sandford was genuinely remorseful for driving while drunk and a disqualification would cause him difficulties in his work.
Mr McAlindon added: “His insurance policy was cancelled because he drove while intoxicated and the vehicle has been scrapped. The collision was at 12.30pm. He says that he went out the night before and then went out early and had a couple of pints with a family member.
“He understands that he shouldn’t have done that. He’s never been in trouble before and this is his first time in court. He works in cladding in York, a job that takes him all over the country. A ban is going to impact him with costs to get around.”
District Judge Zoe Passfield fined Sandford £657 and he must pay a £263 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.