Motorist Caught Drink Driving On 400-Yard Journey Home

Wednesday, 17 August 2022 13:56

By Jade McLean

A motorist who was caught driving over the legal alcohol limit while on a 400-yard journey to his home address has been fined and disqualified.

Officers had eyes on a van parked in Jupps Lane, near a social club in Mulberry Lane, Goring on July 5 at 7.30pm.

At 7.50pm, Arthur Wild, 64, got into his van and drove it away.

Police stopped the vehicle and breathalysed Wild when he was found to be slurring his words. He told officers he'd drunk two pints of beer.

He was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and tested for 48 microgrammes (mcg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Officers charged Wild, a heating engineer, of Ardingly Drive, Goring, and at Worthing Magistrates’ Court last month he admitted drink-driving.

He was disqualified from driving for one year and was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £85 court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

Sussex Police has launched its annual summer crackdown on drink and drug-driving, and is highlighting convictions to act as a deterrent to others who take the risk.

RPU officer PC Mark Gregory said:

“Drink-driving is one of the fatal five reasons why people are killed or seriously injured on our roads.

“Wild lived just 400 yards away from the social club he attended for drinks after work, and obviously thought he would get away with driving the short distance rather than simply walking home.

“This case demonstrates that there is no excuse for drink or drug-driving and shows we are determined to catch offenders.

“Wild put himself and other road users at risk. He could have walked home, or he could have parked at home and walked to the social club. His poor decision has cost him his licence.”