Drink-driver was caught after witness called police

A man has lost his driving licence and been made subject to a 12-month community order after appearing before magistrates for drink-driving.Steven Nichols, 56, of Reid Way, Lynn, had previously pleaded guilty to drink-driving in Kellard Place, Lynn on April 21 when he appeared before Lynn magistrates on June 13.His case was adjourned then for a pre-sentence report and he was back before the court on Thursday for sentencing.

Katherine Newson, [prosecuting, said Nichols was arrested after police were called by a member of the public concerned about his driving.She said the witness had seen Nicholls driving his VW Golf as she pulled out of Sainsbury’s in Lynn and he had clipped the kerb on the left-hand side close to the traffic lights.He was swerving between lanes and the witness had continued to follow him and then at a roundabout Nichols had stopped the witness had shouted at him “Are you f—ing drunk?”. She had continued to follow him and observed his poor manner of driving, and had eventually called the police.Police responded and attended the Travel Lodge where they spoke to the defendant who claimed to have had a drink about 10 minutes ago and had only had a drink when he arrived back at the hotel. However, a breath test proved positive and gave a reading of 122mg of alcohol in 100ml, a further test at the police station gave a reading of 124mg – the legal limit is 35mg.Defending Charlotte Winchester said that back in April Nicholls was going through a mental breakdown – although he did not realise it at the time.He was using alcohol and had been drinking the night before and again in the morning. He had argued with his wife which was why he was at the hotel;. Ms Winchester said: “ He is utterly ashamed and totally remorseful.”Since April he has addressed his mental health problems and has not had alcohol since then.“He is fully aware of what repercussions could have happened,” she said.While at the police station after his arrest he had been able to speak to someone from the charity Change Grow Live and he had since completed an extended course which has helped him to not have any alcohol since this offence in April. Ms Winchester said he had had additional support and counselling through his work and his employers had been “utterly supportive”.She admitted his offence was just into the threshold for a potential custodial sentence but urged magistrates to go along with the probation’s recommendation in the pre-sentence report for a community order.Magistrates agreed and made him the subject of a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days. He will also wear a device to help him stay off the alcohol.He was banned from driving for 30 months and was ordered to pay £114 victim surcharge with £85 costs.