Downham man caught drink-driving after collecting new car, court told

A Downham bricklayer was “like a child in a sweet shop” over picking up an Audi TT car that he’d bought, a court has heard.

However, Christopher Thomas Pattle’s joy was short-lived when he was quickly caught drink-driving in it after collecting it from Sutton St James, near Long Sutton.

Prosecutor Josephine Jones told Lynn magistrates on Monday that the vehicle having no insurance alerted police.

Officers stopped Pattle in Primrose Avenue, Downham, on October 26.

They could smell alcohol on him and a roadside breath test proved positive.

Pattle later gave a reading of 63micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

In court, Pattle, 59, of Brickfields Lane, pleaded guilty to charges of driving with excess alcohol and having no insurance.

Mitigating solicitor Andrew Cogan said it was an “unfortunate set of circumstances” and a “stupid schoolboy mistake”.

“Mr Pattle had originally purchased the Audi TT from Sutton St James, 25 minutes from his home address in Downham Market.

"He had three cans of beer and was like a child in a sweet shop over getting the car. He got someone to give him a lift over there.

“He did have some insurance. The insurance he’d already got wouldn’t have covered him for this particular driving.”

Pattle was banned from driving for 17 months, which will be reduced with successful completion of a rehabilitation course.

For each of the two offences he was fined £700. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £70 victim surcharge.