Shropshire driver over the limit after drinking at panto
A father-of-two who "thought he would be okay" after drinking alcohol has lost his driving licence for 12 months.
Damian James, of Weir Road, Hanwood, near Shrewsbury, admitted drink driving when he appeared before Shrewsbury magistrates yesterday. He was fined £340 and ordered to pay a £34 surcharge and £85 costs.
Mr Andrew Beurke, prosecuting, told the court that James, a 31-year-old sheet metal worker, had been stopped on the A488 just after midnight on December 13. A breath test showed 51mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.
Mrs Ceri Lewis, for James, a river bailiff for Shropshire Angling Federation, said losing his licence would have serious implications for his family, his job and his work as a river bailiff. "He took his family home after watching the panto and then went with a friend to the pub", she said. In the pub he drank three pints of lager and thought he would be okay as he had also eaten food. He had forgotten he had drunk the two bottles at the panto."
