Driving ban for Louth painter and decorator who went for McDonald’s after ‘boozy breakfast’

A painter and decorator who enjoyed a ‘boozy breakfast’ with his partner has been banned from driving after he decided to get a McDonald’s.

Jamie Hezzell, - who ‘rarely drinks’ after being diagnosed with diabetes - knocked back Prosecco, wine and shots before falling asleep for six hours.

When he woke up he felt hungry and decided to head out to get some fast food in his Volkswagen Tiguan, despite still being almost three times the legal drink-drive limit.

It was a decision that has seen the 52-year-old banned from the roads and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.

“Police saw the defendant travelling along Lincoln Way, Louth, where he went through a temporary red traffic light,” prosecutor Lottie Tyler told Boston Magistrates’ Court, recalling the incident which took place around 7pm on September 24.

“Police could smell alcohol on the defendant and he was slurring his words.”

Hezzell - who was previously banned from the roads for five years for drink driving in 2002 - gave a reading of 92 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Defending Hezzell, of Virginia Drive, Louth, Philippa Chatterton said her client felt ‘foolish’ and described his decision to get behind the wheel as a ‘moment of madness’.

“He had been with a female friend and they had a boozy breakfast together,” she explained.

“He’d not drunk for a year due to being diagnosed with diabetes and felt sleepy.

“He slept solidly for six hours. But when he woke up he made the mistake many do and though ‘oh, I feel fine to drive’.

“He went to McDonald’s and was stopped on the way back.”

A probation report revealed Hezzell had drunk ‘Prosecco, wine and shots’ earlier that day.

Hezzell pleaded guilty to drink driving and was banned from the roads for 24 months, which could be reduced by 24 weeks if he completes the drink driver rehabilitation course.

He was also ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work during a 12-month community order and pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs.