Drink-driver Melvin Wheeler admits it was ‘diabolical’ to get behind the wheel in Outwell after pub visit

A 65-year-old admitted it was “diabolical” to drink and drive after a visit to the pub.

Melvin Wheeler appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he admitted committing the offence on Wisbech Road in Outwell on October 6.

Prosecutor Asif Akram told magistrates that on that date, police received information that a drink-driver was heading towards Wisbech.

Officers found Wheeler driving a Peugeot 208 “very slowly and hesitantly” near a set of temporary traffic lights.

Wheeler was pulled over and officers could smell alcohol on his breath. A roadside breath test came back as positive, and he was arrested and taken to Lynn’s Police Investigation Centre.

Wheeler, of Ramnoth Road in Wisbech, provided a reading of 91mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg.

He appeared unrepresented in court and said: “To be honest, it was just one of those days. I went to the pub, came out, and I shouldn’t have drove.

“I’m certainly regretting it at this time. My actions were diabolical. I’m sorry for my stupidity.”

Magistrates disqualified Wheeler from driving for 23 months and fined him £200.

He will also pay a victim surcharge of £88 and court costs of £50.