Depressed drink-driver apologises after he was caught over the limit

A drink-driver who has been struggling with depression and alcohol has been banned from the road after he was caught over the limit.
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Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on September 21 how Thomas Payne, 33, was caught over the drink-drive limit on the A6 at Whatstandwell.

Prosecuting solicitor Lynn Bickley said: “The defendant was reported by Staffordshire police with concerns he was of a high risk of harming himself and he was driving a vehicle and it was suspected he was under the influence of alcohol.

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“The vehicle was stopped on the A6 heading towards Matlock and it stopped in a layby close to Wirksworth.”

Drink-driving breathalyser.Drink-driving breathalyser.
Drink-driving breathalyser.

The defendant, of Hornbeam Way, Branston, Burton-on-Trent, confirmed he had been drinking alcohol and he gave a positive test result and registered 87 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Payne pleaded guilty to exceeding the drink-drive limit after the incident on September 5.

He provided the court with letters from the NHS and a recovery team concerning his alcohol and depression.

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Payne said: “I am really sorry for what I did. I was in a bad state at the time but I am seeking help.”

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

He was also disqualified from driving for 21 months but this ban can be reduced by 23 weeks if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.