Grieving Birmingham driver whose ‘dad died suddenly’ handed three-year ban after collision

Shamarie Wedderburn was issued a 36-month driving disqualification because of a previous drink-drive conviction

BirminghamLive 06:35, 07 Jun 2026

Shamarie Wedderburn (Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)

A Birmingham driver who 'smelt of alcohol' at the scene of a crash has been banned from the roads, a court heard.

Shamarie Wedderburn, of Church Lane, Nechells was found with bottles of wine and cider in his car when police attended the collision on May 5 this year.

At the time, the 34-year-old was grieving his father who 'died suddenly' in hospital in February, his solicitor told Birmingham[1] Magistrates' Court.

Wedderburn admitted failing to provide specimen for analysis to police. He was given a three year ban, due to a previous drink-drive conviction.

His solicitor argued it was difficult to provide the samples and that he had tried to do so.

She said: "It is clear from the papers and the CCTV that he is blowing, he is trying but he has not finished it."

Prosecuting, Ms Begum said: "Officers were assigned to an RTC. They located a further collision nearby and observed two vehicles including a BMW.

"They immediately noticed the strong smell of alcohol.

"The defendant's eyes were puffy, bloodshot and watery.

"A search was undertaken and officers found 1.5 empty bottles of wine, a bottle of cider and another bottle of wine. Police said he was sucking on the machine rather than blowing."

He had a previous conviction for driving with excess alcohol which the duty solicitor argued was "some six years ago."

She said: "What has caused someone, a gentleman who works full time in customer service, to do this?

"In February of this year, his dad died very suddenly.

He went into hospital having a cold.

It's something that he is finding very difficult to be able to deal with.

"He has been suspended from work as a result of this incident."

She said the consequences of the incident were "already catastrophic."

Wedderburn was told to pay a total of GBP471, including a GBP110 fine.

The chair of the Magistrates said: "Because of your previous convictions, we will impose a 36 month driving ban."

References

1. ^ Birmingham (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ M6 drivers told 'avoid area' as motorway closed both ways after lorry overturns (www.birminghammail.co.uk)