A DRINK driver had his five-year-old daughter in the car while he was more than two times over the limit.
Craig Gotts was pulled over after police saw him turn left at a junction in Newcastle Road, South Shields, despite signalling to go right.
The officers could smell booze on the 30-year-old when they spoke to him, and a breath test showed he was over the limit.
He was arrested and taken to South Shields Police Station, where it was found he had 86mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the legal limit being 35mg.
Police then discovered that he was banned from driving previously and despite the ban having expired, he had never applied to get his licence returned.
Gotts, of Westoe Road, South Shields, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without a licence and driving with no insurance at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
Keith Laidlaw, prosecuting, told the court Gotts was stopped at 6.45pm on February 2.
He added: “In the car was his partner and his five-year-old child.”
Paul Kennedy, defending, said: “He was surprised and upset when he saw the readings.
“He didn’t think for a second that he would be over the limit. He had been drinking heavily the night before, but had only had one pint that day. The only reason the police stopped him was because he signalled to go one way and went the other.
“That only happened because his partner was giving directions and told him to go left when he was already going right – I’m sure we’ve all been there.”
Magistrates banned Gotts from driving for 40 months and fined him £100.
He was also ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
Chairman of the bench, Bill Marriott, said: “Drink-driving can not be tolerated.
“You might have said you felt fine, but the figures speak for themselves.
“And this is the second time you have been convicted of drink-driving in 10 years.”
Twitter: @shieldsgazcrime