South Shields drunk driver ‘knew he’d be over the limit’ when he was stopped by police
A sozzled drink driver told police “I know I’ll be over” when stopped at the roadside in South Tyneside, a court heard.
Lee Miller, 56, made the confession even before being asked to provide a breath test after being pulled over in Boldon Lane, South Shields.
Miller, also of Boldon Lane, had been spotted by council CCTV operators falling out of a pub and getting behind the wheel of his BMW on Monday, November 24.
A breath test at a police station after his arrest proved he was over four times the legal alcohol limit for driving, borough magistrates heard.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of driving with excess alcohol and was handed an interim driving ban ahead of sentencing in January.
And Miller could be jailed, with magistrates ordering an all-options report, opening the way to spell behind bars of up to 26 weeks.
Prosecutor Christopher O’Brien said: “Police were contacted by town centre cameras.
“They said they had witnessed a male stumbling from a pub and entering a black BMW and driving off.
“Police witnessed the vehicle at traffic lights on Stanhope Road and it then drove slowly and moved into the other side of the road.
“When the car was stopped, officers spoke to the driver and there was an overwhelming smell of alcohol.
“The driver said, ‘I know I’ll be over’. He was arrested. The starting point is 12 weeks jail to 26 weeks and a ban of 29 to 36 months.”
Miller gave a reading in breath for alcohol of 144mcg. The legal limit is 35mcg.
James Rickerby, defending, said only that a report was needed before Miller could be sentenced.
Magistrates handed Miller an interim driving disqualification and ordered a report ahead of sentencing at the same court on Thursday, January 29.
John Lee, chair of the bench, told him: “The starting point for this offence is 12 weeks, so before we can sentence you, we need to know a little more about you.”