South Shields charity champion Tony Carlisle gave 'sky high' alcohol breath test after crashing into roundabout

Former teacher Tony Carlisle, 64, smashed his white BMW mobility motor in King George Road, South Shields, and then hobbled 500 metres from the scene.

Carlisle, of Cauldwell Villas, South Shields, was collared by police in Harton Lane and immediately admitted to being the driver on Sunday, October 11.

It came after officers alerted to the accident could still smell the burn of the motor’s clutch when they arrived at the scene, a court heard.

Carlisle, the founder of the annual Great North Dog Walk, was also made subject to an 18-month community order.

The order requires him to complete 20 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service and sit a drink-driver rehabilitation programme.

The dad-of-three, who attended court using crutches, must also abide by an electronically monitored 7pm to 7am curfew until February 5 next year and pay £85 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Jonathan Hanratty told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “Police are called to a report of a potential drink driver who had crashed into a roundabout in a white BMW.

“Police arrived but there was no sign of the driver, but they looked nearby in Harton Lane.

“The car had damage to the driver’s side door and a wing mirror, and officers could smell the burnt-out clutch.

“The identity of the male was given, and he was located 500 metres away.

“He was asked if he had the car keys and he did. He was fully compliant with police.

“The aggravating feature is that he collided with a roundabout.”

The court heard Carlisle, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, gave a breath test reading of 130mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

It was also said he had a drink-drive conviction from 20 years ago.

Michael Gibson, defending, said Carlisle was seeking help for an alcohol problem and had mental health issues.

He added: “His current mental health issues arose from having to retire early, in 2012, from a heart attack.

“He had been a teacher for 32 years and had been head of physical.”

District Judge Kathryn Meek described Carlisle’s reading as “sky high” and said he had had no control of his car “given that you crashed it”.

On leaving the court room, Carlisle told Judge Meek: “I just want to repeat what I’ve said – I unreservedly apologise.”

Carlisle can reduce his ban by 36 weeks by successfully completing a separate, self-paid drink-driver rehabilitation course.

The Great North Dog Walk takes place on the Leas, in South Shields, and is one of the region’s leading charity events, setting records for participation numbers.

At the first event in 1990 only 13 dogs and their owners took part, but an estimated 35,000 pooches were involved in the last walk two years ago.

Last year Carlisle was named Fundraiser of the Year at the seventh annual Animal Heroes Awards.

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