Drunk M5 crash driver tried to clean up debris on motorway

Benjamin James, age 55, was so intoxicated he even had to be stopped from picking up debris scattered across the M5. Owen Beale, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, said at 7.45pm on October 15 police were called to a crash on the southbound Worcester section of the motorway. CRASH: Benjamin James caused a crash on the M5 (Image: Newsquest)

The prosecutor said debris was across the three lanes, caused by James driving a VW Toureg into the back of the car in front of him. Mr Beale said everyone involved was behind the safety barrier but it was clear James was affected by alcohol as the defendant was trying to pick up debris causing concern to others there. After failing a roadside breathalyser test James was taken to the police station where he gave an evidential specimen of breath of 95 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the legal limit being 35mcg.

Colin Phillips, defending James who had no previous convictions, said: “It was categorically stupid of him. COURT: Benjamin James leaving Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest) “He had a bad day, he had an argument with his wife.

“This is out of character – he has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.” Mr Phillips added James had also shown remorse for what happened which he had asked to be expressed in court. Kevin Lloyd-Wright, chairman of the magistrates bench, said it was clear James had been intoxicated as he had tried to do the good-intentioned but foolish act of trying to clear up after after the crash.

“You do community work but that act that day was not civic minded,” the chairman said. “It could have resulted in far worse consequences.” James, of Chesterton Lane, Cirencester, was given a 24-month disqualification, which will be reduced by 24 weeks if the defendant completes a drink-drive awareness course.

He was given a 12-month community order with the requirement to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Lloyd-Wright warned James if he broke the community order requirements, or drove during the disqualification period, he risked going to jail.

James was also ordered to pay GBP135 costs and GBP114 victim surcharge during the case which was heard on Thursday, (November 23).