Famous Drink Driving Cases
With Christmas around the corner, the festive season is a time where many motorists can let their guard down and decide to drive after having more than they should have.
A few people have demonstrated a particular disregard for road safety by attempting to use an alternative mode of transport. This article reveals some of Britain's most famous and strangest drink driving charges in the most bizarre forms of transport:
The top alternative vehicles in drink driving cases
1. The motorised beer cooler
Back in 2010 Paul Hutton decided to get behind the wheel of his daughter's Barbie toy car to show a neighbour after a couple of drinks. Police spotted him with his knees tucked up under his chin and after a slow getaway attempt, decided to arrest him after he ignored warnings to stop. Mr Hutton was charged with drink driving offences and given a three-year ban and a fine of 85.
2. The toy car getaway
An OAP was spotted by policemen after driving his mobility scooter erratically on a main road. Once the old man finally stopped, police breathalysed him and recorded a reading of 125 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - four times over the legal limit. The pensioner was prosecuted for being drunk in charge of a motorised bicycle and was ordered to pay a total of 175.
3. Man convicted of drink driving after riding motorised beer cool box
Earlier this year Australian Chris Petrie was charged with a drink driving offence for being over the limit on a motorised beer cart. Mr Petrie attempted to defend his case by suggesting the cooler box was full and that it was simply a test run. However police breathalysed him and found Petrie to be three times over the legal blood-alcohol limit as well as failing to provide a licence.
4. An Australian and his motorised beer cooler
Finally, probably the most famous star to be charged in an alternative vehicle, Welsh rugby player Andy Powell was caught driving down the M4 by police after the Six Nations Tournament. The police arrested him for being well over the legal limit, however in this particular case Powell couldn't be charged with drink driving as a caddy isn't recognised as a motorised vehicle. Instead South Wales police charged him for 'driving a mechanically propelled vehicle whilst unfit through drink' under the Road Traffic Act of 1998.
If you are facing a borderline drink driving charge and believe you were in fact under the limit, the next step is to seek legal advice from an experienced solicitor.
A few people have demonstrated a particular disregard for road safety by attempting to use an alternative mode of transport. This article reveals some of Britain's most famous and strangest drink driving charges in the most bizarre forms of transport:
The top alternative vehicles in drink driving cases
1. The motorised beer cooler
Back in 2010 Paul Hutton decided to get behind the wheel of his daughter's Barbie toy car to show a neighbour after a couple of drinks. Police spotted him with his knees tucked up under his chin and after a slow getaway attempt, decided to arrest him after he ignored warnings to stop. Mr Hutton was charged with drink driving offences and given a three-year ban and a fine of 85.
2. The toy car getaway
An OAP was spotted by policemen after driving his mobility scooter erratically on a main road. Once the old man finally stopped, police breathalysed him and recorded a reading of 125 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - four times over the legal limit. The pensioner was prosecuted for being drunk in charge of a motorised bicycle and was ordered to pay a total of 175.
3. Man convicted of drink driving after riding motorised beer cool box
Earlier this year Australian Chris Petrie was charged with a drink driving offence for being over the limit on a motorised beer cart. Mr Petrie attempted to defend his case by suggesting the cooler box was full and that it was simply a test run. However police breathalysed him and found Petrie to be three times over the legal blood-alcohol limit as well as failing to provide a licence.
4. An Australian and his motorised beer cooler
Finally, probably the most famous star to be charged in an alternative vehicle, Welsh rugby player Andy Powell was caught driving down the M4 by police after the Six Nations Tournament. The police arrested him for being well over the legal limit, however in this particular case Powell couldn't be charged with drink driving as a caddy isn't recognised as a motorised vehicle. Instead South Wales police charged him for 'driving a mechanically propelled vehicle whilst unfit through drink' under the Road Traffic Act of 1998.
If you are facing a borderline drink driving charge and believe you were in fact under the limit, the next step is to seek legal advice from an experienced solicitor.
About the Author:
JMW's drink driving solicitors can defend those accused of drink driving by seeking to get the charges dropped or working to minimise the punishment. Get in touch today on 0845 872 6666 for a free enquiry.