Driving to McDonald’s almost three-times legal limit costs Kirton factory worker £1,000 and two-year roads ban

A factory worker caught behind the wheel when almost three-times the legal drink-drive limit ‘knows he’ll have to get on his bike’ after being given a lengthy ban from the roads.

Bruno Da Silva had only just returned to the country from a trip abroad when he got wind his son may be in trouble and headed out to look for him.

However, the Kirton resident had already started drinking port before his Volkswagen Golf was stopped by police along London Road, Boston, on February 11.

It was an error of judgement that cost him more than £1,000 and a two-year driving ban.

“It was 8.30pm when police saw Mr Da Silva driving,” prosecutor Paul Wood told Boston Magistrates’ Court.

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“He was driving a little fast so they stopped him.

“It was clear to police he was over the limit.”

Da Silva, 42, gave a reading of 99 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

The legal limit is 35mcg.

Da Silva, of the Paddock, pleaded guilty to the drink-driving charge when he appeared at court on Wednesday (February 28).

In mitigation, Rebecca Freitas said the single father of boys aged 22 and 17 had just returned from a five-day visit to Portugal.

“He got home and opened a bottle of port wine while he cleaned the house, as the boys had left the place in something of a state,” she said.

Mrs Freitas added that while cleaning Da Silva became alerted to some police paperwork which hinted one of his sons may be in trouble.

“He called his son but didn’t get an answer, perhaps because he knew his father had found out he was in trouble,” she added.

“He then found out his son may be at the local McDonald’s, He didn’t know what to do so stupidly drove to McDonald’s.”

Mrs Freitas added: “He has been in the UK for 10 years without any issues and feels embarrassed by this.

“He knows he’ll have to get his bike to go to work now and this will mean missing out on some overtime as he’ll not be able to work ad hoc.

“He won’t be making the same mistake again.”

Da Silva was banned from driving for 26 months, which could be reduced by 26 weeks if he completes the drink driver awareness course.

He was also fined £666 and ordered to pay a £266 victim surcharge and £85 costs.