Flint man was three times drink-drive limit

Jul 26 2012 by Dave Goodban, Flintshire Chronicle

POLICE stopped a car being driven without lights in Flint town centre in the early hours – and it turned out the driver had been drinking.

Wayne Bickerstaff, 36, was more than three times the limit and was also in breach of a previous order imposed for being drunk on a train.

Flintshire Magistrates Court heard the defendant, of Cae Petit in Flint, was spotted driving a Vauxhall Corsa on Chester Road. It had no lights on and the police followed it to Tesco, where a passenger got out to use the cash machine.

Matthew Ellis, prosecuting, said Bickerstaff smelt of alcohol and his eyes were glazed. He was arrested after providing a positive breath test.

Melissa Griffiths, defending, said the offence happened after Bickerstaff had been drinking whisky in the afternoon.

He went to bed and had a sleep. But when contacted in the early hours of the morning by a friend who wanted a lift to the cashpoint, he agreed, claimed Miss Griffiths.

“My client thought he would be fit to drive,” she added.

Unemployed Bickerstaff said he was a binge drinker but had a good work ethic and was keen to find a job.

He was put on a 12-month community order and sent on a Probation Service course to tackle his alcohol problem.

District judge Andrew Shaw also banned him from driving for 12 months.