Revealed: 12 motorists caught drink driving in police crackdown

Dorset Police launched its annual drink and drug drive campaign on June 1, extending it to ensure it covered the entire FIFA World Cup.

The campaign will continue until July 31 but here are twelve drivers already charged.

1. Alexander Mair, 23, of Westmorland Way, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, was charged on 11 May 2014 with driving a (hired) Mercedes when alcohol level above limit (92 microgrammes in 100ml breath) at the A35 Bakers Arms roundabout. Mair appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates Court on 1 July 2014 where he pleaded guilty and was fined £700 and banned from driving for 24 months, £85 costs, £70 victim surcharge and no drink banning order.

2. Daniel Withers, 23, of Harvey Road, Bournemouth, was charged on 1 June 2014 with driving a Mercedes C240 when alcohol level above limit (81 microgrammes in 100ml breath) in Talbot Avenue, Bournemouth. He appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on 16 June 2014 and was fined £150 and banned from driving for 12 months, £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and no drink banning order.

3. Linda Taylor, 30, of Portman Road, Bournemouth, was charged on 1 June 2014 with driving a Smart car when alcohol level above limit (53 microgrammes in 100ml breath) in Richmond Park Road, Bournemouth. She appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on 16 June 2014 and was fined £300 and banned from driving for 12 months, £85 costs, £30 victim surcharge and no drink banning order.

4. Gavin Popham, 36, of Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, was charged on 1 June 2014 with driving a Vivaro van when alcohol level above limit (53 microgrammes in 100ml breath) in Kinson Road, Bournemouth. He appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on 16 June 2014 and was fined £110 and banned from driving for 12 months, £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and no drink banning order.

5. James Murray, 28, of Adelphi Court, Bournemouth, was charged on 6 June 2014 with being in charge of a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit and appeared before Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on 23 June 2014. He was given a £280 fine and 10 points.

6. Joanne Cross, 28, of Arnewood Road, Bournemouth, was charged on 14 June 2014 with driving when alcohol level above limit. She appeared before Bournemouth Magistrates' Court on 30 June 2014 and was fined £350 and disqualified from driving for 17 months. Cross was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £35 and costs of £85.

7. Kevin Wiles, 35, of Gravel Hill, Wimborne, was charged on 7 June 2014 with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit. He appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on 23 June 2014 and was fined £200, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85. He was also disqualified from driving for 17 months.

8. Lois Hunter, 23, of Havelock Road, Poole, was charged on 8 June 2014 with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit. She failed to appear in court on June 23 and a warrant was issued for arrest. She appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on June 24 and was fined £110, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85. She was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

9. Wendy Glenister, 34, of Hickory Close, Poole, was charged on 4 June 2014 with driving when alcohol level above limit. She appeared before Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on 24 June 14 and was fined £110, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85.

10. Adam Cox, 22, of Barrack Road, Christchurch, was charged on 7 June 2014 with failing to provide a specimen for analysis and appeared before Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on 27 June 2014. He pleaded guilty and the case was adjourned until July 18 for a pre-sentence report to be completed.

11. Benjamin Richardson, 34, from Newquay, Cornwall, was charged on 14 June 2014 with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit. Richardson recorded a reading of 103 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, nearly three times the legal limit.
He appeared before Bournemouth Magistrates' Court on 30 June 2014 and was fined £800 and disqualified from driving for 36 months. Richardson was also ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge and costs of £85.

12. Juan Fernandez Alarcon, 31, of Maples Court, Bournemouth, was charged on 14 June 2014 with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit. He appeared before Bournemouth Magistrates' Court on 30 June 2014 and was fined £230 and disqualified from driving for 17 months. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £23 and costs of £85.

Drink-driver lucky not to be injured after colliding with tree

TWENTY-three-year-old Daniel Withers, of Harvey Road, Bournemouth, was lucky not to be injured when his Mercedes  left the road and collided with a tree in Talbot Avenue.

He was arrested at the scene after a breathalyser test revealed he had 81 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mls of breath.

And Alexander Mair, 23, lost control of a hired Mercedes and veered off the road at the A35 Bakers Arms roundabout, sustaining extensive damage.

Police were called to reports of the driver staggering around and going into the nearby pub and found him with blood on his face and shirt and glass from the windscreen on his trousers.

In his defence, he argued he had driven the car in a state of panic after he was attacked in a nightclub.

Offenders were given fines of varying amounts and most received driving bans.

Police Sergeant Stuart Pitman, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “It is disappointing that some motorists are continuing to think they are above the law and choose to get behind the wheel or on their bike after consuming alcohol.

“Research has shown that even one drink can impair the ability to drive so please don’t drive or ride after drinking any alcohol at all.

“I would like to remind motorists that officers will be continuing to target those who think they are above the law and are willing to risk their life and the lives of others by drinking and driving.”

If someone is caught drink driving they will face a minimum 12 month driving ban, a criminal record, up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000. If you suspect someone is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, dial 999 immediately so police can intercept or call 101 with non-urgent information.