Drink-drive trio named and shamed

A HAT-TRICK of dangers are off the road today after being banned for drink-driving at more than twice the legal limit on the same day.

The trio of men appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court yesterday having each been pulled over by police in separate incidents on December 5.

Astonishingly one of the men, 21-year-old Gene Wei Ho, of Limetree Drive, Ipswich, is training to become a driving instructor.

The court heard that Ho, who currently works at Harvey's Bar in Ipswich town centre, was pulled over by police on Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, at around 1.45am on December 5, for driving too slowly.

John Hughes, mitigating, said Ho, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, has been training as a driving instructor for the past year.

He passed his initial exams which leaves him with two years to complete 60 supervised lessons before he is fully qualified.

Mr Hughes said his client borrowed £3,000 from his parents to train as a driving instructor and asked for reduced ban to enable him to continue his training.

He said on the night in question Ho had been working at Harvey's and had drunk “two or three” glasses of wine that had been left at the bar.

“As far as he was concerned he was perfectly fit to drive,” Mr Hughes said.

“He can't put forward any defence to it but was shocked that the reading was as it was and he felt ok to drive.

“If he is to complete his training by September 30, 2010, then effectively he needs to have his licence back by October 2009 in order to do the necessary lessons.”

Also before the court was Krzysztof Frencel, 29, of Woodrows Lane, Clacton, who was pulled over by police on York Road, Felixstowe, at around 10pm on December 5.

Lesla Small, prosecuting, said officers noticed the Toyota Hilux being driven erratically.

Representing himself Frencel, who pleaded guilty to the offence, said: “I'm sorry. “I understand what I did. “I have never done anything like this before.”

Teenager Steven Rolfe, 18, of Butley Road, Felixstowe, also pleaded guilty to drink driving after being pulled over in Margaret Street, Felixstowe, at around 1am on December 5.

Magistrates heard that Rolfe hopes to join the army, a career choice that is now in jeopardy as a result of the drink-driving conviction.

Mike Stephenson, defending, said: “This goes to show that it's really not possible to second guess the effect of alcohol.

“Mr Rolfe certainly didn't think he was in excess of the limit.

“He had a glass of wine with a meal - many people would think that a glass of wine would not put you over the limit.”

Sentences:-

Ho recorded 74 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He was banned for 20 months, to be reduced five months on successful completion of a drink-drive rehabilitation course. He was also fined £200 and was made to pay costs of £65 and a £15 victim surcharge.

Frencel recorded 76 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

He was banned for 20 months, to be reduced by five months on successful completion of a drink-drive rehabilitation course. He was also fined £400 and was made to pay costs of £65 and a £15 victim surcharge.

Rolfe recorded 79 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

He was banned for 20 months, to be reduced by five months on successful completion of a drink-drive rehabilitation course. He was also fined £200 and was made to pay costs of £65 and a £15 victim surcharge.