Drink-driver dodges jail amid fears he’d lose his job

Drink-driver Jordan Smith has been hit with a lengthy ban after he was more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit when stopped by police. The 30-year-old was seen drink-driving near his Weston Coyney home just four months after he had been arrested for being drunk in charge of a vehicle in Leek[1] town centre. Now Smith has been handed a 12-month community order and hit with a 28-month driving ban at North Staffordshire Justice Centre[2].

Prosecutor Hannah Baddeley said the first offence occurred when Smith was seen attempting to drive a car in Market Place, Leek, at midnight on March 12. Miss Baddeley said: "He was prevented from driving by a security guard who thought Smith was under the influence of alcohol. Police assisted Smith getting into a taxi.

He instructed the taxi driver to go to a cashpoint. READ: Grieving dad batters clubber in front of wife at Stoke-on-Trent bar Ian McIntosh, 45, was spared jail at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court[3] READ: 'Bundle of joy' baby died at Royal Stoke after breathing tube dislodged Mum's agony after 60-day-old premature tot lost fight for life[4]

"No more than five minutes later Smith got in his car and shut the door. Police asked what he was doing. He said he was about to drive home.

He was taken to custody where he was breathalysed and gave a reading of 100 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, nearly three times the legal limit of 35." In his police interview Smith said he had no intention of driving and was just winding the officers up.

Police were called to Weston Coyney Road, Weston Coyney[5], to deal with an unrelated matter at 11.30pm on July 8. Miss Baddeley said: "They spoke with Smith.

He appeared intoxicated. He left the property. "At 11.50pm while police were making further enquiries they were made aware of a car being driven by him while under the influence.

They observed him driving towards Meir and turning around before driving back down Weston Coyney Road. Attempts were made to stop him in his vehicle. "He turned into a cul de sac to avoid detection.

He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. He was taken to custody and was breathalysed, giving a reading of 95 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, against the legal limit of 35." Smith, of Weston Coyney Road, Weston Coyney, pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a vehicle and drink-driving.

Rob Holt, mitigating, said Smith has taken steps to address his addiction to alcohol and attends a group meeting at Fenton Methodist Church every Friday. Mr Holt said Smith behaved 'stupidly and arrogantly' on the first occasion. But he said his client was genuinely remorseful.

Mr Holt added that if Smith went to prison he would be unable to provide for his family and would lose his job. As part of the community order Smith must carry out 80 hours' unpaid work, a rehabilitation activity requirement for 25 days and a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring programme. He was ordered to pay GBP135 costs and a GBP114 surcharge.

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References

1. ^ Leek (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
2. ^ North Staffordshire Justice Centre (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
3. ^ Grieving dad batters clubber in front of wife at Stoke-on-Trent bar (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
4. ^ 'Bundle of joy' baby died at Royal Stoke after breathing tube dislodged (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
5. ^ Weston Coyney (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
6. ^ COURT AND CRIME NEWSLETTER: Sign up for email (data.reachplc.com)
7. ^ alerts direct to your inbox (data.reachplc.com)