A Maryport man has appeared from custody at North and West Cumbria Magistrates Court today (THURS) charged with three drink-driving offences.
Brendan Asworth, 70, gave his address as Ellenfoot Drive, Maryport, his lawyer John Smith told the court on the police charge sheet he [Ashworth] is described as a “scientist” but he prefers to say he works in the education field.
He pleaded guilty to three driving offences by driving a grey Hyundai car along Ellenfoot Drive on May 13, when stopped he gave a positive breath test with a reading of 69mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Then on Wednesday June 17 he was driving along Ewanrigg Brow in Maryport when he had 53mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Another motorist saw him driving again on Wednesday 15 July along Buchannan Terrace, the court was told he was seen “downing a bottle of Vodka” police arrived and he again failed a road-side breathalyser test and gave a reading of 80mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, over twice the legal limit of 35.
The lawyer said his client said he has now let his wife down, possibly lost his job and his previous good character, he partially blames the “lockdown” for his drinking, Ashworth told District Judge Gerald Chalk that he also works part-time giving lectures, he is now getting help from alcohol agencies.
The District Judge disqualified him from driving for a period of 48-months in total. He was fined £500 for the May 13 offence, with £750 on the June 17 offence, a Community Order for 10-weeks was imposed which is a house curfew to be electronically tagged at his home for the July 15 charge, between the hours of 9pm and 7am, on top of the fines there are court costs of £175.
