Gordon Leach of Whitty Close in the Bowbrook neighborhood of Shrewsbury pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol by spitting more than double the legal limit when he appeared in Telford Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
After a breath test, he was found to have 88 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath. This exceeds the legal limit of 35.
Prosecutor Joanne Fox told three magistrates that Leach was chased by police while driving a gray Volkswagen Polo on Mitton Oak Road on November 20, 2022.
“They saw him and narrowly missed the curb. He didn’t have a light. The police stopped him. They smelled alcohol from his breath and he felt his feet hurt.” “It was erratic. He admitted to drinking four pints at the local pub,” she said.
Leach had been convicted of DUI twice in 2000 and 2011, the court heard.
Representing himself, Leach said he had discussed health issues with his doctor and was paying himself to attend an alcohol counseling course at £30 per session.
A magistrate banned Leach from driving for 20 months, which could be reduced if he successfully completed a DUI course.
The magistrate also fined Leach £392 and ordered him to pay a £157 victim surcharge and £135 in costs. They accepted Leach’s offer that in total he would pay £684 at £200 a month.