Member of public shopped elderly Honda Civic drink-driver

A pensioner was banned from driving after being caught over the drink-drive limit in Gurnard. (Image: Hampshire Constabulary/County Press) A MEMBER of the public shopped a drink driver who was heading home in a Honda Civic, after drinking at a club a mile away, an Isle of Wight court was told. On Friday, November 17, James Anthony Lay, of Gurnard Pines, Cockleton Lane, Gurnard, admitted drink driving, when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court.

On November 3, at around 7.30pm, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary received an anonymous tip-off the 73-year-old had been drinking beer at the ‘Plessey Club’, more commonly known as the Isle of Wight Community Club, in Cowes, and was heading to Gurnard Pines in his car, said Lauren Stone, prosecuting. When police attended, Lay confirmed he drank-drove and subsequently failed a roadside breath test. At Newport Police Station, Lay, with no previous convictions, provided a breath sample of 42 microgrammes.

The legal limit is 35. For Lay, Oscar Vincent said his client had been asked by a neighbour to help clear some guttering and, as a thank you, was invited to the Plessey Club for some drinks. “After consuming a couple of beers, he felt OK to drive.

The loss of his driving licence will impact on him greatly,” Mr Vincent said.

Lay was banned from driving for 12 months, together with a GBP120 fine, GBP85 costs and a GBP48 surcharge.