Two Ipswich men in charge of cars while more than twice drink-drive limit
South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court - Credit: Archant
An Ipswich man who was more than twice the drink-drive limit when found in charge of a VW Golf thanked Ipswich magistrates for not banning him from driving.
David Brown, of Melplash Road, admitted having 82 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.
The 30-year-old was arrested after being found in Melplash Road on January 24.
He pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court to being in charge of a VW Golf while above the legal alcohol limit.
Prosecutor David Bryant said Brown was seen driving along Landseer Road, shortly before 1am.
When police found the VW it was parked against a kerb with the engine running.
Brown was inside the vehicle. An officer removed the keys.
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The court heard Brown’s eyes were glazed and his speech was slurred.
He smelled of alcohol but said he had only had a double vodka and coke around 30 minutes earlier.
Brown was arrested at 1.25am and taken to Martlesham police investigation centre where he was breath-tested.
It was said in court that he had a relevant conviction on January 11, 2006, which took it just outside the 10-year window that magistrates have to consider when sentencing.
Asked about his latest offence Brown, representing himself told the court: “I am deeply ashamed. There’s no defence for it.”
Magistrates endorsed Brown’s licence with 10 penalty points and fined him £80. He was also ordered to pay £45 costs, as well as £20 to the victims’ fund.
When he found out he would not be losing his licence Brown told the magistrates he was grateful.
Paul Gocan, of Sandpiper Road, Ipswich, also admitted being in charge of a vehicle while drunk, during a separate hearing.
The 22-year-old was in a Citroen Xsara in Broomwade Close when he was arrested on January 24.
A breath test showed he had 71mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath.
The court heard officers first saw him at 11.10pm on January 23 after they had left an address in nearby Compair Crescent on another matter.
Gocan had been unsteady on his feet and they warned him not to drive. Police left the area but returned around 12.10am to find the Citroen had gone.
They found the car in Broomwade Close with the engine on, the tyres warm, and Gocan in the driver’s seat.
A bag with numerous cans of beer was seen behind the passenger seat.
Gocan had 10 points put on his licence and must pay a total of £325 including a fine.
