South Shields motorist who was five times over the drink-drink limit found slumped at the wheel
A South Tyneside motorist found slumped at the wheel while five times the drink drive limit has been spared jail but banned from the roads for three years.
Christopher Hoy, 43, was handed a 16-week prison term which was immediately suspended by magistrates who heard he was seeking help for his boozing.
Hoy, of Seaview Terrace, South Shields, was discovered sloshed in his Renault Clio in York Street, Penrith, Cumbria, at 6.30pm Saturday, July 19.
His bad parking aroused the suspicions of a passer-by who alerted an off-duty police officer, who in turn called in colleagues, the South Tyneside court heard.
A roadside breath test placed him at around four times the legal booze limit, leading to his arrest – and he gave an even higher evidential reading at a police station.
Hoy pleaded guilty to a drink drive charge when he first appeared at the same court on Wednesday, October 22, and his case was adjourned for reports.
He gave a reading for alcohol in breath of 175mcg, against a legal limit of 35mcg.
Prosecutor Holly Clegg said: “A member of the public noticed that a vehicle was badly parked and recognised an off-duty police officer and asked him to assist.
“They found the defendant slumped in the driver’s seat and he was asked to provide a sample.
“He gave a roadside reading of 148mcg and was transported to a police station. He provided two further readings, both of 175mcg.
“He has two previous convictions from two offences, but they are not relevant for the purposes of sentencing.
“This is absolutely in the highest category for sentencing. It’s up to 26 weeks in custody and a ban of between 29 and 36 months.”
Stephen Hamill, defending, said Hoy had taken steps to curb his drinking even before his first court appearance, including by seeing his GP.
Mr Hamill admitted Hoy was “staring down the barrel” of a prison term, but added: “His is not someone who has hidden from this – he has been full and frank.”
Magistrates suspended Hoy’s jail sentence for 18 months, and imposed a six-month alcohol treatment programme and up to 25 rehabilitation days, with a £154 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
Hoy also pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to attend court, for which there was no separate penalty.
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