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WATCH: Bognor Police Borrow Kayaks After Drink-Driver Gets Stuck In Flood

A motorist who drove into flood waters while over the legal alcohol limit has been sentenced.

James Doyle misjudged the road in North Bersted Street, Bognor, forcing officers to wade in to the water to reach him.

Later, members of the public kindly offered the officers kayaks so they could complete their checks on the car.

Doyle, 57, of Fir Tree Way, Bognor, admitted drink-driving after he was found to be more than three times the legal alcohol limit.

Doyle appeared before Worthing Magistrates’ Court on December 12, 2023 and admitted driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

The court heard that police were called at 9.30am on November 15, 2023, to his car stuck in flood waters.

The officers waded through the water in order to conduct a breath test on Doyle, who provided a positive roadside breath test.

He was arrested and taken to custody, where he provided a sample of 120 microgrammes (uhg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath.

The legal limit is 35uhg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Doyle was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months when he appeared at Worthing Magistrates' Court on Monday, February 5. 

He was also disqualified from driving for 29 months and ordered to pay a total of £239.  

Sussex Police say the consequences of drink or drug-driving could include:

  • Killing or seriously injuring yourself or someone else;
  • A minimum 12-month ban;
  • An unlimited fine;
  • A possible prison sentence;
  • A criminal record, which could affect your current and future employment;
  • An increase in your car insurance costs;
  • Trouble travelling to countries such as the USA.

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