Shropshire student found slumped in car is banned after night out
A Shropshire physics student has been banned from driving for six months after being found slumped at the wheel of his parked car while more than twice the legal drink drive limit.
Michael James Walsh, 19, of Sambrook Crescent, Market Drayton, was blocking the drive of a home in Wellington Road, Newport, Telford Magistrates Court was told.
Mrs Abigail Hall, prosecuting yesterday, said Walsh was discovered on the morning of Saturday, August 17.
She said: "At 8am, witness Mr Steve Norman was awakened by neighbours who said there was a car blocking their driveway.
"As he approached the vehicle, he saw a man in the driver's seat. The car was in gear and the keys were in the ignition.
"He knocked on the window and the man sat up and began turning the key. He advised the man to stop."
Mr Norman opened the door and immediately smelled alcohol. He also saw that Walsh was missing a shoe, Mrs Hall added.
She said: "He drove the defendant to Newport Police station, where there was no response."
Mr Norman then took Walsh to a taxi rank in the town to await the police, who took him to Malinsgate Police station. A reading showed 72 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, nearly double the legal limit of 35.
Mrs Hall told the court Walsh recalled driving into Newport and arranged to take a taxi home.
"He was not intending to drive home," she said. "He has expressed embarrassment, shame and regret to his father, who is at the back of the court."
Walsh, who admitted being drunk in charge of a vehicle, was disqualified for six months and fined £100, with costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.
