Clenchwarton drink-driver rejects chance to reduce driving disqualification
A drink-driver was so angry at being handed a 14-month ban that he refused a chance to reduce it.
James Watson told the bench at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday that he didn’t want to undertake a drink-driver rehabilitation course.
Successfully completing it, as his own expense, would have had the effect of cutting 14 weeks off his disqualification.
But Watson said: “14 months? No, I’m not interested. I’ll ride it out.”
Defendants must tell the court at the time of sentencing if they wish to take the course, it cannot be offered at a later date.
The magistrates heard that Watson, 39, of Wildfields Close, Clenchwarton, was stopped in a Vauxhall Astra van in Ely Road, Denver, on August 8.
Prosecutor Lily Orr said he had been braking intermittently and drifting in the road before quickly correcting himself.
Watson told police he’d had two beers and was arrested after failing a roadside test.
He later blew 44 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
The defendant, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
Charlotte Winchester, mitigating, said Watson hadn’t had alcohol for over a year but on the day of the offence was asked to go for a drink after work. He’d also not had anything to eat that day.
Referring to the mandatory minimum 12-month ban and his job as a self-employed builder, Miss Winchester said: “He doesn’t know how he’s going to manage or what he’s going to do.”
As well as the ban, Watson was fined £120 and ordered to pay £105 costs and £48 victim surcharge.
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