Cliftonville man gets driving ban after drinking ‘one-and-a-half pints’ at lunch and being over the limit
A window fitter who drank "one-and-a-half pints" at lunch was narrowly over the alcohol limit when questioned by police and has been banned from the road. Lloyd Brooman, from Cliftonville, had the beers when meeting a friend, which he now recognises was "not a wise decision".
Margate magistrates heard the 43-year-old was spotted by officers in a Vauxhall on July 4 in Knockholt Road, where he lives. Julia Farbrace, prosecuting, said: "Officers thought he may have been drink- or drug-driving and the engine was turned off.
"He was in the driver's seat and when they spoke to him they got him to do a roadside breath test, which proved positive." Brooman was then arrested, and further tests revealed he had 43 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath; the legal limit is 35. Ms Farbrace added: "He has previous, which includes failing to comply wth a community order in April last year, which he was given for a road traffic crash.
"He's also got a previous for drink-driving, but that's well outside the 10-year period and 43 in breath is in the lowest category."
Anyone convicted of drink-driving twice in the UK within 10 years is given a minimum three-year driving ban and up to six months imprisonment, with a potentially unlimited fine.
Lainy Snook, defending, told the court her client had enjoyed lunch with a friend when he had a drink. She added: "He now recognises this was not a wise decision and he had one-and-a-half pints at lunchtime. "It was a mistake, and he regrets the decision.
It's been 22 years since his last drink-driving [offence].
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"He's a window fitter but is signed off with health issues. He's claiming PIP and Universal Credit. He has walking difficulties and wears a back brace; he's awaiting surgery."
The court heard his parents were also in ill health and that Brooman did chores for them. Magistrates banned Brooman from driving for 12 months and fined him GBP162 for the offence. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of GBP65 and GBP85 court costs.
He will pay what he owes the court at a rate of GBP20 a month because he's on benefits.
If he completes a drink-driving course, his ban will be reduced by a quarter.
Brooman was previously in court[1] after crashing his van - which he blamed on becoming "confused" by the vehicle's four pedals - and fleeing the scene.
He later pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.
References
- ^ previously in court (www.kentonline.co.uk)