21 Feb 2008
School run taxi driver over limit
A LONGNOR taxi driver was caught drink-driving on his way to pick up
children for school, a court heard.
Police on duty on the A515 Ashbourne Road stopped Michael Bowden at
around 8.20am on January 28 after noticing him hesitating to pull out.
He failed a roadside breath test, was arrested and taken back to the police
station where he gave a reading in breath of 52. The legal limit is 35.
John Bunting, defending, said 45-year-old Bowden, of River View, was of
previous good character and was to receive a commendation from
Staffordshire Police for rescuing a woman from a fire in Longnor.
"The defendant has had a clean driving licence for 20 years. He has been
a taxi driver for the last ten years," he said.
"He never drives to the pub and relies upon his wife for lifts but people
don't realise how long alcohol stays in the system.
"This was 8.20 in the morning when the defendant was beginning his day's
work.
"The consequences for Mr Bowden are significant to say the least. He lives
in Longnor with his wife who is disabled.
"He worked as a taxi driver and immediately discussed the matter with his
employer and was dismissed on the spot.
"He is not just a man of good character but of positive good character. Mr
Bowden actually went into a burning house to rescue a lady who was trapped.
"That is nothing at all to do with this case but it is a measure of the man as
a responsible citizen."
Chairman of the bench Sheila Senior said: "This offence is aggravated by
the fact that you were driving a taxi and were about to collect children for school.
"However, your early guilty plea, positive good character and the fact that
you have no previous convictions means that we will deal with it by way of
a fine and disqualification of 12 months."
Bowden, who admitted driving with excess alcohol, must pay a £320 fine,
£60 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Source: Buxton Advertiser
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