Worksop: Ban for ‘unlucky’ drink driver who waited hours after drinking but still got caught

Craig, Sprigg, of Kilton Glade, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle when over the alcohol limit at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Thursday 2nd April.

Prosecuting, Sanjay Jerath told the court that Sprigg had been attending a family celebration at a local pub on the evening of the offence.

His family were celebrating as he had been offered a job in Spain in February of this year and wanted to say goodbye to his loved ones before departing.

He had consumed two glasses of wine and two beers, but waited a couple of hours in between drinks and after drinking until he felt fit to drive.

He then set off for home, but police pulled Sprigg over on Carlton Road when they saw his brake lights were not working properly.

They detected alcohol on Sprigg’s breath and later conducted a roadisde test, which Sprigg failed.

He was then arrested and interviewed at the police station.

Sprigg’s defence solictor said: “Police said that the defendant was driving normally that evening, and that he wouldn’t have been pulled over if it wasn’t for the fact that they had noticed the faulty brake lights.”

“So he really has been quite unlucky in that sense.”

“Losing his driving licence will be a complete blow to him, as he needs his car for work. He takes his colleagues to work every morning, so this will no doubt be a blow to them too.”

“He also uses his car to visit relatives at the weekend who live far away at the opposite end of the country.”

“He has shown genuine remorse for what he’s done and is sorry for his actions.”

Magistrates said: “We canappreciate that you are a man of good character with no previous convictions, and you were perhaps in the wrong place at the wrong time when you were stopped by police that night due to the faulty brake lights.”

“But I’m afraid there is an automatic ban for those who are caught driving when over the alcohol limit.”

“You were aware of what you were doing and should have known when to stop drinking that evening.”

“The consquences of this could have been a lot worse if someone had been harmed as a result of your drink driving.”

Magistrates imposed a 12 month driving ban.

Sprigg was also ordered to pay a £300 fine, £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

He was offered the opportunity to complete a drink driving course which will reduce his driving ban by up to three months.