Walney taxi driver banned for drink driving after 'mental health crisis'https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/18279141 ... th-crisis/A TAXI driver has been banned from the road after pleading guilty to drink driving on a secluded highway on Walney. Edwin John Pullin appeared before magistrates after being caught driving while over the limit on the south end of the island.
The 54-year-old was due to plead not guilty to the offence as he believed the road, which passes through South End Caravan Park, was private.
He changed his plea on the morning of the trial and instead tried to argue there were ‘special reasons’ for committing the offence in order to face a slighter sentence.
The court heard the man had been experiencing a "mental health crisis" on the night of the offence on December 1.
Magistrates were told his wife of 30 years had ended the relationship.
Describing the incident, prosecutor Lee Dacre said: “At around 9.25pm police were informed the defendant had been in a crisis was intending to harm himself.”
Police recorded a reading of 56 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, around one-and-a-half times the legal limit of 35.
The resident of South End Caravan Park was stopped on Old Park Lane after driving to the beach.
Trystan Roberts, defending, told the court: “Mr Pullin tells me he had a crisis as 30 years of marriage had broken down - not his choice.
“He was suffering a great deal with his mental health.
“He drove from his caravan to the beach.
“The road in his mind has always been a private road.
“He has always been told because it passes by the caravan site that he was entitled to drive on it.”
The defendant said he had three drinks on the night and was only driving at 5mph on the road.
A taxi driver for 18 years, Pullin said his licence had been revoked following the incident.
Magistrates sentenced him to a 12-month driving ban.
Chair Charles Crewdson said: “We have listened to the very strong mitigation offered on your behalf.”
The defendant was also fined £100 and told to pay a £32 victim surcharge and £100 costs.
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