South Shields offender's criminal past unravels in court as he admits drink-drive charge
South Shields offender’s criminal past is laid bare in the courtroom, forcing change in tact from magistrate.
An offender’s criminal past unravelled in court after he confessed to being in charge of a car while almost four times the drink drive limit in South Tyneside.
Both prosecution and defence had believed boozy Glen Irwin, 39, caught in Ocean Road, South Shields, had no previous offences - and told borough magistrates just that.
But a Probation Service officer present intervened to reveal Irvin, of Colton Gardens, Lyndhurst, Gateshead, had a previous conviction for drink driving.
Irwin spoke up to admit previous ABH charge
And she then disclosed he was also serving a crown court suspended prison sentence, which Irwin spoke up to admit was for an actual bodily harm assault.
The revelations sparked a change of tack from magistrates, who had indicated they were willing to deal with his new driving matter.
They backtracked and told Irwin his latest offence would have to go before a judge at Newcastle Crown Court, who would also deal with his suspended sentence.
Prosecutor Paul Anderson said Irwin’s breath test after his arrest on Tuesday, May 16, showed 131mcg of alcohol. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Mr Anderson added: “There was an alleged incident where it’s said that this man has driven off in a car in Ocean Road.
“Police come looking and he is parked and in the vehicle. There’s no evidence, other than hearsay, that he had driven.
“He got out of the driver’s side and was holding the keys. He blew a very high reading and was taken to Southwick police station.
“The CAMIC breath test showed a reading of almost four times the drink drive limit. A pre-sentence report is going to be needed.”
Guilty plea
Irwin pleaded guilty to a charge of being in charge of a motor vehicle while above the drink drive limit.
The court heard his drink drive offence was in February 2016 and that he was sentenced for assault last August, receiving a 19-month jail term, suspended for two years.
The Probation Service confirmed Irwin was fined in January for breaching the order and was currently in breach again but no action had yet been taken.
John Williams, defending, said only that a pre-sentence report was required.
Irwin was granted unconditional bail to be sentenced at the crown court on Tuesday, July 14.