Leyland crash drink driver was 'picking up takeaway'

A drink-driver blamed picking up a takeaway for making the decision to get behind the wheel.
Magistrates' CourtMagistrates' Court
Magistrates' Court

Paul Bell, 57, of Windermere Avenue, Farington, crashed his Volkswagen Polo into another motorist at a roundabout, Preston Magistrates’ Court was told.

Prosecuting, Martine Connah said: “At around 10.30pm a call was received from a woman driving in Leyland.

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“She had stopped at a roundabout on Hough Lane and felt a jolt from behind.

Magistrates' CourtMagistrates' Court
Magistrates' Court

“She looked in a rear view mirror and saw a red car had hit her.

“She described the driver as slurring his words and believed he was under the influence.”

The court heard he provided a breath test that was more than double the legal limit.

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He said he had been out drinking and decided to go and get a takeaway.

Defending himself, the 57-year-old defendant said: “ I had been out drinking in the day a bit later than was planned.

“My partner informed me she had ordered food but the takeaway didn’t deliver. After much deliberation and heated voices I got into my car and went to get it.

“As I reached the roundabout I had actually stopped my car. The car in front started to move off so I glanced right to see if there was traffic coming and started to move, but the other car had stopped.

“There’s no damage to my car at all.

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“It’s totally out of character, complete stupidity which I totally regret and I will never, ever do it again."

He was given an 18-month road ban after pleading guilty to drink driving. In addition the bench ordered him to pay a £507 fine, a £57 surcharge and £85 costs.