A 57-YEAR-OLD man who said he had not had a drink for three years has been banned from the roads for 20 months for riding a motorcycle while over twice the legal alcohol limit.
Paulo Jorge Jardim Dos Santos was found to have 174 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – more than double the legal maximum of 80 milligrams – when he was arrested on 14 December.
He was also sentenced to 90 hours of community service and fined £150.
St Helier Centenier Danny Scaife, prosecuting, told the Magistrate’s Court that concerned members of the public had called the police at 11.25pm that night after Dos Santos was seen trying to get on his motorcycle in Minden Place car park. But he told officers he was not going to use it.
However, the Centenier added that at 12.30am the vehicle was found to have gone from the car park – and CCTV footage showed Dos Santos riding it away. It was later found at his home. Dos Santos admitted the charge.
Advocate Chris Baglin, defending, added that Dos Santos had not drunk alcohol for three years before the night in question.
He said: “He made a foolish decision and he does accept this – he’s a grown man.”
Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu ordered that Dos Santos must retake the driving test after the ban has elapsed before he is allowed on the roads again.
