Drink-driver who drove to Sheffield takeaway 'over problem with his order' was more than three times the legal limit
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Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard on July 14 how Paul Darwin, aged 59, of Manor Lane, near Sheffield Parkway, had driven while over the drink-drive limit to a Chinese takeaway because he had been having a problem with an order.
Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, said officers received a call about a potential drink-driver on March 27 and they were on Manor Lane, Sheffield, and saw Darwin parking outside an address while smelling of alcohol.
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Hide AdDarwin pleaded guilty to exceeding the drink-drive limit after he registered 117 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
Arshaid Bashir, defending, said: “He was having problems ordering a Chinese takeaway and he was unsuccessful and he said it was a stupid thing to do driving there when it’s a short distance from where he resides.”
Mr Bashir added Darwin has been suffering with depression and anxiety following a heart attack, a diagnosis of anaemia and more recently a minor stroke.
The defendant, who is a medicine management technician at Sheffield’s Weston Park Hospital has expressed remorse, according to Mr Bashir, and he has been referred to an alcohol addiction clinic by his GP.
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Hide AdMagistrates fined Darwin £800 and he must pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
Darwin was also disqualified from driving for 28 months but this ban can be reduced by 28 weeks if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.