Motorists banned for drink-driving

THREE irresponsible motorists have found themselves out of pocket and without transport after driving after boozing.

Michael Potter, 18, has been forced to take his driving test again after getting behind the wheel drunk.

Potter, of Clare Avenue, Woodbridge, had passengers in his car when he was

spotted driving along the A12, prosecutor Lesla Small told South East Suffolk Magistrates.

Police indicated for him to pull over and he stopped in Grundisburgh Road. He was rumbled when an officer leaned forward to talk to a passenger and saw an empty vodka bottle under the driver's steering wheel.

A breath test revealed 41 mcg in 100 ml of breath. The legal limit 35 mcg.

Representing himself Potter, who passed his test just two months ago, said he had nothing to add.

Bench chairman Roy Condon said Potter wouldn't qualify for a driver's rehabilitation scheme, which would reduce his ban, because he was caught within two years of taking his test.

Instead he would have to take his driving test again after his one year ban expires.

Potter, who admitted drink driving, was fined £125 and ordered to pay £25 costs.

Carlos Coelho, of Cavendish Street, Ipswich, was stopped in Cardinal Park last Friday after being nearly three times the legal drink drive limit with 93 mcg in 100 ml of breath.

Coelho, 30, who pleaded guilty, was fined £200, given a two year motoring ban and ordered to pay £55 prosecution costs.

Magistrates gave him the option of reducing his driving ban by six months if he successfully completes a driver rehabilitation course.

Roy Graham, 59, was by police stopped in Dales View Road, Ipswich, where he lives, and found with 109 mgs of alcohol with 100 ml of blood. The legal limit is 80 mgs.

He was fined £250 and banned from driving for a year.

Graham, who admitted drink driving, was also ordered to pay £55 prosecution costs.