A learner driver caught over the limit in an uninsured car has been banned from the road for more than a year.
Police saw a black Vauxhall Astra on Levens Drive in Carlisle at around 10.15pm on Saturday June 25.
Enquiries revealed there was no test certificate in in place. Driver Louis Moore, 23, initially pulled that vehicle to the near side but then, Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard today, drove off again at the last second.
An officer caused the vehicle to stop. When spoken to, Moore smelled of drink. “He admitted to having had a couple of drinks earlier,” said prosecutor Pam Ward.
Moore, of Moorville Drive South, Carlisle, provided a positive breath test. The lower of two later evidential readings showed 49 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
In court today, Moore admitted drink-driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and having no insurance. Magistrates heard he was a provisional licence holder only; the vehicle belonged to him so he could learn to drive but only his father was insured for it.
Addressing magistrates, Moore said: “I apologise. I realise now it was a massive mistake. I am just sorry for my actions. Obviously it could have been dangerous. I realise now how stupid it was of me.”
Moore lived quite close to work, and said the mandatory disqualification wouldn’t affect his life too much.
Magistrates imposed a £466 fine and ordered Moore to pay costs and serve a 14-month driving ban with immediate effect. He accepted the offer of a place on a drink-drive rehabilitation course which, if completed, will reduce his ban by 14 weeks.
