Crash drink-driver loses his job after he is banned from the road

A drink-driver who needed his licence to do his job has lost his employment after receiving a 20 month ban from the road.
A drink-driving breathalyser.A drink-driving breathalyser.
A drink-driving breathalyser.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, March 14, how John Gary Owens, 50, of Brentwood Close, Bamford, in the Hope Valley, collided with a parked car on Brentwood Road, at Bamford, when he was over twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said: “The police were contacted on the evening of February 23 after witnesses heard a collision and looked out of a window and saw Owens in a Suzuki vehicle which had collided with a parked Peugeot.”

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Mrs Allsop added that Owens was taken to the police station and he registered 73microgrammes of alcohol in 100millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35microgrammes.

Owens pleaded guilty to exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit after the incident.

Defence solicitor Rob Sowter said Owens made full admissions and he has lost his employment because he needed to be able to drive to do his job.

Magistrates fined Owens £120 and ordered him to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

He was also banned from driving for 20 months but the ban can be reduced by 22 weeks if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.