Man drink-driving at Butlin’s Skegness resort in early hours loses licence and must pay £500

A man discovered drink-driving at a holiday park in the early hours has been banned from the roads and ordered to pay out £500.

Butlin’s security guards approached 28-year-old George Bettridge’s BMW in the Skegness resort’s car park at 3am on February 2.

“Initially they suspected he was asleep and knocked on the window,” prosecutor Lottie Tyler told Boston Magistrates Court on Wednesday (February 26).

“They asked him if he’d been drinking and initially there was no response. He didn’t present himself as drunk.

“The defendant drove off and staff followed him from a safe distance for two minutes. He was driving approximately 20mph in a 10mph zone.”

Police arrived and Bettridge gave a reading of 52 micrograms per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Defending Bettridge, Dave Foulkes said his client had not been seen driving by the police but admitted to the offence in interview.

“He had consumed alcohol on Saturday evening and had a disagreement with a female friend,” he said.

“He decided he wanted to be on his own and went back to the car. He was resting in the vehicle.

“He was disturbed by security guards and foolishly decided to move the vehicle.

“He remained in the car park at all times.”

Mr Foulkes added Bettridge would lose his job driving on-site machinery for a civil engineering company due to his ban meaning he could no-longer get to work due to living in a ‘small village’.

Bettridge, of Wash Lane, Aslacton, Norfolk, pleaded guilty to drink driving.

He was handed a 14-month disqualification, which could be reduced by 14 weeks if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

Bettridge was also fined £300 and ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge and £85 costs.