Drunk driver was four times over limit
5:52pm Tuesday 7th October 2008
By Jim Entwistle »
A MAN took his two-year-old daughter for a drive while four times over the legal alcohol limit, a court heard.
Darlington Magistrates Court heard that Christopher Kevin Gill had recently discovered his wife had been cheating on him and had started to drink heavily as a consequence.
The 25-year-old of Staindrop Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit and driving with no licence.
He was caught by police attempting a u-turn at lights on Whessoe Road on September 25.
It was the second time he has been caught drink-driving, and district judge John Maxwell said he could have been facing a prison term.
Speaking to Gill, who sat with his head bowed, Mr Maxwell said: "I'm fully aware of your personal circumstances, I've read the report and it makes tragic reading, but you have a major alcohol problem that needs to be addressed."
In handing Gill a three month prison term suspended for 15 months, alongside a three year driving ban, Mr Maxwell added: "I'm concerned about his alcohol consumption.
"Many people would have been unconscious with the level of alcohol he had been drinking at the time of the offence."
Gill will also have to complete a 15 month community order.
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darlolady, Darlington says...
10:58am Wed 8 Oct 08