Drink-driver was helping father-in-law (From Worcester News)

Drink-driver was helping father-in-law

2:00pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By James Connell

A “GOOD samaritan” who was driving to his father-in-law’s home after he suffered a fall has been banned for being more than two-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit.

Simon Ricketts, aged 39, of Leeds Avenue, Worcester, admitted driving with excess alcohol and will lose his job working for meals on wheels.

Worcester Magistrates Court was told that a mobile police patrol was in Wood-green Drive in Warndon Villages, Worcester, on December 23 at about 12.40am when officers noticed Ricketts stop in a bus stop in an abrupt manner.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, said: “Officers decided to pull alongside and speak to the driver and, speaking to him, they noticed he was slurring his speech and his eyes appeared to be glazed.”

A roadside breath test revealed 82mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 35mcg.

Readings were also taken at Worcester Police Station where a figure of 89mcg was recorded, which was used as evidence.

Gary Harper, defending, said Ricketts had been in the pub the evening before and had left his car at home, but on the morning of December 23 his partner received a message that her father had fallen and he was “in a bad state and needed someone to help him”.

Mr Harper said: “He decided that he would be that someone and drove off to help his father-in-law.

“He was driving and he had a phone call from his partner and, responsibly, he pulled in to take that call.

“He was entirely co-operative with the police.

“He’s not normally someone who drinks and drives.

“He was trying to be a good samaritan. He works for a company that sub-contracts to the council – meals on wheels. He’s going to lose his job and expects that to happen some time this week. He’s of statutory good character.”

Magistrates banned him from driving for 18 months, fined him £250 and ordered him to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £25.

If he completes a course by December 23 he can reduce the ban by 136 days.