South Tyneside restaurant worker tested three times drink-drive limit

A South Tyneside restaurant worker who tested three times the drink-drive limit at the roadside refused to comply with a second police breathalyser request.
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Soyfur Choudhury, 27, was found standing next to what District Judge Paul Currer described as his abandoned car in Shields Road, Fulwell, Sunderland, by police.

Choudhury, of Blenheim Walk, South Shields, gave a breath sample reading of 105mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath.

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The legal limit of 35mcgs, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates Court.The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates Court.
The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates Court.

But when asked to provide a follow-up evidential sample at a police station, he deliberately failed to do so.

David Forrester, defending, said Choudhury had been badly impacted by his father’s death.

He added: “The roadside breath test that he gave was 105mcgs, which gives an indication.

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“He clearly became disenchanted with the way the police have handled him, but that’s no defence.

“It’s a family business. He’s currently working four nights a week at the restaurant.

“He tells me that he’s doing better now in relation to alcohol.”

Choudhury pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis as a person in charge of a vehicle.

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Judge Currer described Choudhury as having driven while “highly intoxicated”.

Of his motoring decisions, he added: “It had been driven there and then abandoned, and its hazard lights were on.”

Choudhury, who was handed an interim driving ban at a court hearing in August, was disqualified in totality for a year.

He was also made subject to a 12-month community order, with a requirement of 15 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service.

And he must pay a £95 victim surcharge and £85 court costs, all within 28 days.