West Dereham window cleaner Scott Shoesmith caught drink-driving

A window cleaner is expected to lose his job after being sentenced for drink-driving.

Scott Shoesmith, 38, of Ryston Road in West Dereham, was driving along Downham Road in Denver on February 8 when he was pulled over by the police.

They saw an alcoholic drink in his vehicle, and he was arrested after failing a roadside breath test.

Subsequent tests revealed he had 41mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, exceeding the legal limit to drive of 35mcg.

As Shoesmith was previously disqualified from driving after failing to provide a specimen for analysis in 2016, he faced an automatic three-year ban this time around for an offence committed within ten years.

He appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he “reluctantly” admitted drink-driving.

Mitigating, solicitor George Sorrell said: “The only aggravating factor is that it is an offence where there is a relevant previous conviction.

“It is a very low reading. At the roadside, the defendant blew 39mcg. Had he still been below 40mcg when he got to the police station, there is some information to suggest the police would not have charged him with this offence.

“But he was 41mcg - it really is bad luck for him. He felt perfectly fit to drive.”

Mr Sorrell told the court that Shoesmith works as a self-employed window cleaner and carpet fitter, and is likely to have to find alternative employment as a result of his driving ban.

Magistrates handed Shoesmith a three-year disqualification, but did offer him a drink-driving awareness course which, if completed, will reduce that term by 36 weeks.

He will also pay a £369 fine, £148 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.