Learner driver caught drink-driving after taking parents' Audi to play pool and buy dog food

A learner driver was stopped by police while more than twice the legal drink drive limit, a court has heard.
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Dale Reap, of Etal Road, Tweedmouth, was pulled over in the Castle Terrace area of Berwick on February 6 due to his erratic driving, prosecutor James Long explained to the court.

Magistrates were told the 27-year-old provided a positive breath test and was taken to the Middle Engine Lane police station in Wallsend where he gave a sample measuring 79mg alc/100ml breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

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He pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared at Berwick Magistrates’ Court.

Berwick Magistrates' Court.Berwick Magistrates' Court.
Berwick Magistrates' Court.

He also admitted taking his parents’ Audi A1 without consent, driving without third party insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Magistrates heard the defendant had received a phone call asking him to make up a pool team’s numbers at a pub in Spittal.

“On the spur of the moment he went away with the vehicle,” said defence solicitor Ian O’Rourke. “He had a few pints while playing pool and was going home via a shop to buy dog food when a police officer driving behind him saw the vehicle straddle the central white lines and got him to stop.”

Mr O’Rourke added: “He really can’t explain what drove him to do this other than stupidity.”

He was banned from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay a fine and court costs totalling £372.