Belford man banned for his second drink driving offence

Geoffrey Gilbert, 62, of Rogerson Road, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving with an alcohol level above the legal limit when he appeared at Berwick Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrates heard that police received information on January 8 about a possible drink driver in the area. Officers saw the defendant in a Jeep parked on South Road in Belford.

He provided a positive roadside breath test and was taken into custody where he gave a sample of 43mg alc in 100ml breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

"There is no suggestion the defendant was drinking in the vehicle,” Ian O’Rourke told magistrates in mitigation.

The court heard the defendant had been caring for his father through the previous night and had been drinking. He thought he would be ok to drive that morning and travelled some 500m.

"He sat in the car to get some peace and quiet,” said Mr O’Rourke.

Along with being banned, he was ordered to pay a fine, surcharge and costs totalling £253.