Drink-driver taxi driver banned from roads
A DRINK-driving cabbie has been banned from the roads after trying to pick up fares outside a police station.
John Corner was caught smelling of booze in a taxi rank only yards away from Hartlepool police station.
Officers had earlier received a tip-off warning of a driver smelling of alcohol and spotted Corner motoring past the station and stopping at
ADVERTISEMENT the taxi queue in Avenue Road, Hartlepool.
The 41-year-old admitted being almost twice the drink-drive limit on February 19 at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court, where he was banned from driving for 16 months and fined £80.
The court was told that Corner, of Skelton Street, Hartlepool, was seen driving a yellow Skoda at 3.15pm on the Friday.
Joanne Hesse, prosecuting, said: "The police had received information earlier that day that there was a driver under the influence of alcohol.
"The officer left the police station and pulled up beside the Skoda. The driver was approached and alcohol was smelled on his breath.
"He said the last time he drank was midnight."
Breath tests showed Corner had 60 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of his breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
Mrs Hesse added: "He was charged but replied to the charge that he wasn't driving the car despite police seeing him drive past and stop."
Corner, who represented himself in court, said he is no longer driving taxis and is on incapacity benefit.
He said: "I'm really ashamed, it's embarrassing to be here.
"I didn't think I was over and this is my first time in court.
"I've been through a lot, I'm recently divorced."
Corner agreed to fill out a questionnaire by the court's problem-solving team and was given advice on where to go for help.
source:
http://www.peterleemail.co.uk/news/
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