Reydon drink-driver escapes jail
A FORMER fisherman has avoided a prison sentence, despite being caught drink-driving while still serving a ban for a previous offence.Robert Simcox, 36, of Windsor Road, Reydon, near Southwold, was nearly three times over the legal limit when he was stopped by police in Lowestoft.
A FORMER fisherman has avoided a prison sentence, despite being caught drink-driving while still serving a ban for a previous offence.
Robert Simcox, 36, of Windsor Road, Reydon, near Southwold, was nearly three times over the legal limit when he was stopped by police in Lowestoft.
Colette Griffiths, prosecuting at Lowestoft Magistrates' Court yesterday (Tuesday) said police arrested Simcox on April 9 after he was seen driving an Alpha Romeo erratically in Blackheath Road.
He gave a breathalyser reading of 103mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Simcox, who used to work as a fisherman out of Southwold harbour, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance.
Mrs Griffiths said Simcox was still the subject of a three-year ban for drink-driving and driving while disqualified issued in 2006.
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James Hartley, for Simcox, said his client now cared for his father, who had suffered a stroke and was diabetic.
On the night of the offence, his brother was visiting and offered to help look after their father, meaning he could go out for a drink with a friend.
They stopped at a bar in Lowestoft and afterwards Simcox took up an offer to drive his friend's car, and was surprised at the high breathalyser reading, Mr Hartley added.
Simcox was initially warned he could be jailed, but was given an 18-month community order, involving supervision and a drink-drive programme, when he was sentenced later in the day. He was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay �60 costs.
