Ban for drink-driver after crash into wall

Neil Emmonds, who was also given a suspended prison sentence, was found to be driving at more than four times the legal limit for alcohol.

Court officials heard how officers from Northumbria Police were called on the evening of Wednesday, November 11 by a shaken driver who had been struck by an errant car.

She had been driving through Morpeth when the silver Honda sped towards her, smashed into the side of her vehicle and then drove into a garden wall.

Emmonds staggered from the vehicle and was soon arrested by police who had been deployed to the scene.

The 51-year-old was breathalysed and blew a reading of 148ug in 100ml of breath – more than four times the limit of 35ug.

He was charged and then appeared before magistrates at Mid and South East Northumberland Law Courts in Bedlington on Tuesday last week, where Emmonds was handed an 18-week prison sentence – suspended for 18 months.

PC Dan McGarrie, of Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols department, said: “This was an appalling example of driving and it is by sheer luck that nobody was seriously injured.

“Neil Emmonds was well above the legal limit of alcohol and clearly was not in control of his vehicle that night.

“The consequences of drink driving can be catastrophic and Emmonds should count himself lucky that his actions did not lead to a fatality.

“Too many families have been torn apart because of the actions of an irresponsible driver and it can be infuriating to see people still putting lives at risk.

“Emmonds has narrowly avoided prison and been banned from the roads.

“We hope that he has learned from his mistakes and won’t make the same choice again.”

Emmonds, of Clarks Fields, Kirkhill, was also banned from driving for 36 months and fined £213 after admitting driving while over the legal alcohol limit.