Drink-drive ban for ex-Shropshire director who crashed into cars on neighbour's drive
A retired finance director who was found to be almost three times the drink-drive limit after he collided with two cars parked on his neighbour's driveway has been handed a three-year driving ban.
David Sutton was found to have 101 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath after being arrested in December last year, Telford Magistrates Court heard today.
The legal limit is 35mg.
Ms Abigail Hall, prosecuting, said police received a call from his neighbour on December 29 that stated 67-year-old Sutton had driven his BMW into two cars parked on her driveway in Barnfield Close, Church Aston, near Newport.
Ms Hall said: "She reported he was clearly intoxicated."
Police attended and arrested Sutton, who failed a breath test.
The court heard he had to be taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital because he had been experiencing medical difficulties.
Ms Hall said he was interviewed by police and stated he was an alcoholic.
She told the court he also claimed there had been black ice on the ground.
Sutton, of Barnfield Close, Church Aston, pleaded guilty to driving while over the drink-drive limit on December 29, 2016.
The court heard on the evening prior to the offence he had drank between eight and 10 cans of lager, along with vodka, but had not felt drunk.
Magistrates were told that Sutton felt okay to drive the following morning but recalled it being icy.
A probation officer said he and his wife had been in the process of moving house and he had gone to drop off some items to their new home.
She said he apologised for the damage caused and had sought help for his drinking.
His relationship with his wife has also broken down and the court was told the pair are selling their house.
A report from probation staff said Sutton was in ill health and was not suitable for unpaid work.
Mr Mike Surzyn, representing Sutton, suggested that magistrates should give him a conditional discharge or a fine.
He asked for any driving disqualification to be as short as possible, telling magistrates: "At 67 years of age the disqualification you are going to give him is going to be substantial."
Mr Surzyn added: "It was a frosty day. It was a short distance.
"He was properly insured."
Sutton was given a 36 month driving ban, but was offered the drink drive rehabilitation course.
He was also ordered to pay a £400 fine, £135 costs and £40 victim surcharge.
