A drink-driver seen swerving across all three lanes of the M6 in north Cumbria has been given a 22-month road ban after appearing in court on his birthday.
An HGV driver was travelling north and approaching Junction 39 near Shap when he alerted police to his concerns over a Mercedes Sprinter van. “It appeared to be swerving across all three lanes,” prosecutor Pam Ward told Carlisle magistrates’ court.
An officer on mobile patrol stationed himself at the Junction 40 roundabout near Penrith and saw the HGV driver flashing his lights to bring his attention to the van.
It crossed into lane three, before swerving onto the hard shoulder and then back onto the far side of the northbound carriageway.
The driver, Mark Burridge, “suddenly braked and slowed down” and initially carried on before he eventually came to a halt in lane one. “He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. He was slurring his words and appeared to be vacant,” said Mrs Ward of the police stoppage.
Burridge provided a positive roadside breath test, and the lower of two further samples he later provided showed 87 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath — almost two-and-a-half times the legal limit of 35.
Appearing at court remotely over a video link today (Tuesday) on his 54th birthday, Burridge, of Ridge Road, Kempston, Bedford, admitted drink-driving.
He told the court he was driving for work at the time. Hours earlier he had been dropped off by a work colleague and consumed “a glass and a bit” of wine with food before the journey resumed. He believed the alcohol would have been absorbed by the time he next drove but accepted he was to blame. “It is my stupid fault and I am guilty of such a stupid offence,” he said.
The crime, he added, had already had a “terrible impact” upon his life. He had lost his job and previously helped his pensioner mother by taking her shopping and to appointments by vehicle.
Burridge received a 22-month driving ban along with a 12-month community order comprising 50 hours’ unpaid work. He must also pay a £180 court bill and was offered a place on a drink-drive rehabilitation course which, if completed within a set timeframe, will reduce his disqualification by 22 weeks.
