A Penrith drink-driver who used alcohol to numb the pain of severe spinal problems has been fined and handed a lengthy ban.
John Williams, 45, appeared in front of magistrates today after his offending came to the attention of police on the town’s Ullswater Road at around 2.25pm on June 26.
Williams had stopped of his own accord in the area of a petrol station. Officers in the area conducted a police national computer check and learned there was no insurance for the Volvo V40.
As Williams got out of that car, a police constable immediately noticed a strong smell of intoxicants from him.
He provided a positive breath test. The lower of two further evidential specimens showed 71 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath — twice the 35mcg limit.
Williams — previously of Cross Fell View, Langwathby, and latterly of Lansdowne Crescent, Carlisle — admitted drink-driving and having no insurance.
Mark Shepherd, defending, said Williams had gone through something of an acrimonious divorce. The latter offence had been committed when the car insurance lapsed amid paperwork difficulties arising from that.
There had been no excuse for the drink-drive crime. Williams suffered from severe spinal problems. He had undergone major spinal surgery a decade ago which left him with very significant and lasting complications.
“He would accept he has been drinking to numb the physical pain he has been suffering,” said Mr Shepherd.
There had been a previous drink-drive conviction dating back 16 years. Of the latest offending, Mr Shepherd said of Williams: “He is sorry for what’s happened and he is determined this won’t happen again.”
Magistrates fined Williams £376 and ordered him to pay costs and a mandatory surcharge. He was banned from driving for 19 months with immediate effect.
He accepted the offer of a place on a drink-driver rehabilitation course which, of completed, will see his ban reduced by 19 weeks.
