Warehouse worker over legal drink-drive limit escapes ban following incident in Skegness
A warehouse worker found over the legal limit behind the wheel of his car has kept his driving licence.
Thirty-year-old Hardikkumar Patel was handed ten penalty points and ordered to pay up £541 when he appeared in court.
Describing the incident, which took place in Skegness on August 18 last year, prosecutor Lottie Tyler told Boston Magistrates’ Court that police had originally been called to an unrelated matter.
“The defendant and other males had driven off in a silver Fiesta,” she said.
“The car was located at Anchor Lane and the defendant was in the driver’s seat.
“The engine was running and there were three males inside.”
Patel, who has no previous convictions, was arrested and gave a reading of 55 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
In defence, Rebecca Freitas said the engine was only running in the stationary car to ‘keep the heating on’.
Patel, of Dovedale Road, Thurmaston, Leicestershire, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a motor vehicle with his alcohol level above the legal limit when he appeared in court on Wednesday (January 29).
He was fined £326 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £130 victim surcharge.
Patel, who works in an Amazon warehouse, also had his licence endorsed with ten penalty points.