Farmworker banned for drink-driving on A1067 in Pensthorpe

A driver caught swerving across the road after taking to the wheel having had a drink learned a tough lesson on Thursday.

William Tough, 19, pleaded guilty to drink driving on the A1067 in Pensthorpe on June 1, when he appeared before Lynn magistrates.

Nicola Lamb, prosecuting, outlined how police had spotted Tough driving his BMW and swerving in the carriageway. As a result, he was stopped and Tough admitted he had consumed some alcohol and failed a roadside breath test.

A second breath test showed he had 40mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 35mcg.

Ruth Johnson, mitigating, said: “Mr Tough was just over the limit. He agrees he clipped the white line in the centre of the road but doesn’t agree he was swerving as asserted by the police.”

Ms Johnson said Tough, of Davy Grove, Poringland, has been involved in the farming community working in arable farming since he was 16. She said he was very well-thought of by his employer who had written a character reference.

She said the inevitable ban did not mean Tough would automatically lose his job as his employer has said they would try to work something out after the court hearing.

Tough was banned from driving for 12 months, and fined £323, with £85 costs and £129 victim surcharge.

His ban could be reduced by 13 weeks if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course in the set time period.