Coningsby carer who ‘let mother down’ after driving ban may also be forced to close dog sanctuary

A man who runs a dog sanctuary fears it may have to close after he was banned from the roads.

Peter Phillips - who also cares full-time for his housebound mother - was over the legal drink-drive limit when he found police waiting or him at his Coningsby home after he returned from the pub on the June 15.

Appearing in court on Wednesday (July 2), the 45-year-old pleaded guilty to a drink driving charge - and was handed a mandatory three-year ban due to a drug-driving conviction from 2019.

Lewis Hazeldine, defending Phillips, told Boston magistrates his client was ‘devastated’ that losing his licence would have huge knock-on effects in his everyday life.

“He says he has let his mother down. He’s a hard working man who is a full-time carer for his mother who is housebound,” he said.

“He is responsible for all the shopping and that her needs are met properly.

“He also runs a voluntary dog sanctuary business. He is responsible for taking dogs to the vets and home inspections before dogs go to new owners.

“Mr Phillips is devastated as this will make it harder to take his mother to her medical appointments and can no-longer take dogs to the vets or undertake home visits.

“There is a real risk the sanctuary is to close.”

Mr Hazeldine added Phillips’s Ivy lane home was ‘two miles from nearest bust stop’ and that ‘this will reduce his contact with the outside world’.

“Mr Phillips accepts he drove home from the pub, which is five minutes away from his home,” the defence continued.

“He describes it as a foolish decision to drive home, and as he arrived home the police were waiting for him.

“He was not involved in a collision but accepts there is no excuse for his behaviour.”

Describing the incident, which took place at 7pm, prosecutor Shelley Wilson said the defendant gave a reading of 45 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

“It’s not the highest reading but it’s still over the legal limit,” she said.

Magistrates banned Phillips from the roads for 36 months, which can be reduced by 36 weeks if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.