Drink driver who was refused service at Tesco while three times the limit gets unpaid work and road ban
He was “clearly drunk” when he pulled up on the Tesco car park.
A drink driver who arrived at a Ludlow Tesco store while three times the alcohol limit then caused a scene when staff refused to sell him more alcohol has been banned from the road.
Andrew Constable, 39, was due to be tried for drink driving but at Telford Magistrates Court yesterday (April 28) he pleaded guilty.
Prosecutor Chris Coughlan told the court Constable pulled up on the Tesco car park off Station Drive in a Hyundai Ioniq on September 2 last year and was “clearly drunk”.
“He went into the store and there was a disturbance in the store.”
Constable attempted to buy items including alcohol but a member of staff would not sell to him because he was intoxicated, Mr Coughlan said.
Police were called and Constable was breath tested. He was found to have 105 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath; the legal limit is 35mcg per 100ml.
He was arrested but pleaded not guilty to a single offence of drink driving, and was due to stand trial before changing his plea to guilty.
Constable, of Coates Drive in Pinvin, Worcestershire, apologised to the court.
In mitigation the court heard he had been subject to domestic abuse which contributed to his heavy drinking. He has no previous convictions.
He had expected to be fired from his job and tendered his resignation, but in fact it was rejected and his employer offered him support to address his drinking.
District Judge Joseph O’Connor told Constable he accepted the offence was “out of character” but the 105mcg reading was “very high”.
“At such a level you are incredibly intoxicated. You were in no fit state altogether to be anywhere near a car.”
He banned Constable from the road for two years, although that can be reduced if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
Constable must complete 130 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and pay £400 towards court costs and a £114 victim surcharge.