A repeat drink-driver who hit and damaged a couple’s vehicle while more than three times the limit has been sent to prison.
Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard today how Paul Gibbons, 56, was behind the wheel of an Audi A6 when a collision occurred in the city’s Denton Holme area.
A woman who was driving the other vehicle had turned left on to Denton Street at around 9.10pm on August 30 last year.
As the woman passed Nelson Street she suddenly heard a loud bang. Her car spun 180 degrees and, when she looked through the rear view mirror, she saw a car fly past.
That other vehicle, a black Audi driven by Gibbons, was seen driving away towards the city centre. It was dark at the time, and there were no adverse weather conditions which could have led to the collision.
The woman was left in shock and her husband, a passenger, was left stunned. Their vehicle was badly damaged and both were checked over at hospital.
There was damage, too, to the Audi when police caught up with Gibbons at Lorne Crescent in the city. He failed a roadside breath test.
The lower of two evidential readings taken at a police station showed 113 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Defence solicitor Katie Scattergood, mitigating, said he was not dependant on alcohol. He had lost his job, had made a benefit claim and was seeking to regain employment.
Deputy district judge Peter Hayes noted Gibbons, of Trafalgar Street, Carlisle, had three previous convictions for drink-driving, and two for failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
“The offence is aggravated, significantly, by your previous convictions,” said the deputy district judge as he imposed an immediate 16-week prison sentence.
Gibbons must also pay £200 compensation. He must also serve a three-year driving ban when released from custody, and pass an extended retest before his licence is returned.
