Drink driver caught by cops after early morning trip to a South Shields petrol station for cigarettes

Andrew Roache, 62, of Grays Walk, Biddick Hall, South Shields, made the pledge to magistrates, who banned him from the roads for 18 months.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard he drove his white Vauxhall Crossland motor to a garage on Boldon Lane, South Shields, while almost twice the drink-drive limit on Sunday, November 17.

While there, he admitted to staff he was drunk, and police were alerted, the court heard.

Officers from Northumbria Police then traced him to his home and a breath test reading showed he had 69 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Prosecutor Paul Anderson told the magistrates’ court: “What happened was that he went to the garage to get cigarettes at about one in the morning. He confirmed to the cashier that he was drunk.

“Police then went to his home. He didn’t prevaricate. He was twice the limit.”

Roache, who defended himself in court and is of previous good character, told magistrates: “I’ve just got to apologise for what’s happened, I can’t do anything about it. I’m out of order. I’m going to sell my car.”

As well as the driving ban, Roache, who admitted a charge of drink-driving, was fined £120 and must pay £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.