Telford drink-driver, 20, banned for one year
A Telford man who drank a vodka mixer prepared by friends before driving has been banned from the roads.
Faizan Mehmood was handed a 12-month ban after admitting being over the limit on March 24 this year, on the A5223 near the Wrekin Retail Park outside Wellington.
Mehmood, 20, of Portia Close, Wellington, met up with friends at the nearby McDonald's in the early hours and one of them poured him a drink.
He admitted not knowing the strength of the mixer, which he drank before driving his Vauxhall Corsa away.
At Telford Magistrates Court, prosecutor Sara Beddow said that Mahmood was pulled over by police shortly afterwards, and was found to have 51 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg per 100ml.
Representing Mehmood, Steven Meredith said that he had been co-operative and compliant while being pulled over and at the police station.
Impact
Mr Meredith said: "His friends poured him a drink, he felt completely fine to drive.
"He is very ashamed of what has happened. He is hoping to study at university next year so this is going to have a heavy impact on him.
"He will never risk drinking alcohol and driving again."
Magistrates sentenced Mehmood to a one-year ban for one count of driving while over the alcohol limit, but he accepted the opportunity to undergo a course for drink-drivers to reduce the ban by three months. He must complete the course by November 9 this year.
He was also ordered to pay a £70 fine and costs of £135.
Chairman of the bench Steven O'Hara simply warned him: "Be very careful around alcohol."
