Karl Thomas Smith (29) had been driving along Victoria Avenue late on 30 April when honorary police officers noticed that he had no lights on. The Magistrate’s Court heard that Smith was stopped and breathalysed.
Advocate Katie Ridley, prosecuting, said: ‘When they spoke to him they noticed a smell of intoxicating liquor. He failed a roadside breath test and he was arrested just before midnight.’
Smith pleaded guilty and the court heard he had no previous convictions.
Advocate Sarah Dale, defending, added: ‘Mr Smith has been co-operative throughout. What happened that night was entirely out of character for him.’
A drunk driver that our officers recently arrested has appeared in court.
He received a 2 year driving ban and was also sentenced to 110 hours of community service.
He must retake his test before driving again.
Look after yourself other people.
Please don’t drink and drive. pic.twitter.com/nQ1dA2OB5a
— St Peter Honorary Police (@StPeterHonPol) May 11, 2021
Smith had been out with work colleagues, the court heard, and she said: ‘Ordinarily he would walk or get a bus home. He can’t explain his action and is extremely frustrated at his poor decision-making. He is fully aware that he put others at risk.’
Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris said he was bearing in mind Smith’s early guilty plea and previous clean record in sentencing him to 110 hours of community service instead of jail.
But he warned him: ‘If you commit another offence, you will be back here and that time you would be at risk of going to prison.’
Smith was also banned from driving for two years and must retake his driving test before being allowed on the road again.
