A Bury man was banned from the streets after it was found he had “significantly exceeded” the legal limit for driving.
David James Hughes, 67, of Fourth Avenue, was stopped by police on the evening of August 21, 2021 while driving a Jaguar Sovereign on Peel Way in Bury.
Manchester Magistrates Court heard Hughes “smell of alcohol, stand unsteadily and obscure his speech” when he was stopped by police.
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He was found to have 115 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath – “well above” the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
When asked, Hughes said he was driving home from a wedding reception where he had three small glasses of prosecco and a pint of Guinness.
A Bury Probation Office official told the court that Hughes had shown a “lack of education” about alcohol limits and how long it took for the body to process alcohol.
He was told he was unaware of the amounts of alcohol he had consumed.
While not “extremely exaggerated,” Hughes had some alcohol consumption concerns and frequented his local pub three times a week.
The court heard how Hughes, who lived alone and had amassed some “significant debt”, suffered from anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder caused by a helicopter crash in the early 1990s.
Mr. Hughes appeared before the Manchester Magistrates Court
(Image: MEN Media)
Hughes, who had no criminal record and was of good temper, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle when his alcohol level was above the limit.
Hughes’ attorney Roger Taylor told the court that Hughes needed “a clearer understanding of the effects of alcohol” and was “absolutely appalled” to face trial.
Mr. Taylor said: “Mr. Hughes was very concerned about the whole matter and it had an impact on him. It’s one thing he’ll learn from. “
Mr Taylor added that Hughes had expressed an interest in attending an alcohol rehabilitation class to help become more aware of the effects of alcohol.
District Judge McCormack said to Hughes, “I am sure you understand today that you have significantly exceeded the legal limit.
“I appreciate the admission of guilt and appreciate that you lost your good character at the age of 67 and I can see the effect the trial had on you.”
The judge banned Hughes from driving for 24 months, while he was also given a community order of six months.
As part of the order, Hughes is required to attend five rehabilitation days to “educate” about the effects of alcohol use.
The judge admitted that if Hughes took an alcohol rehabilitation course of his own volition, disqualification would be reduced by 25 percent.
He was also sentenced to pay a cost of £ 85, a government levy of £ 95 and a fine of £ 10.
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