Drunk driver sentenced

A drunk driver who spun his car on to its roof with five passengers inside was sentenced at Newark Magistrates' Court this week.

Brian Robinson, 20, of Dunham Road, Newton-on-Trent, admitted driving his car while being above the legal alcohol limit and was disqualified from driving for 16 months, fined £260 and ordered to pay £100 in costs.

The incident occurred on Moor Lane, South Clifton in the early hours of October 23.

Miss Kate Beardmore, prosecuting, said that at around 1am, police were called to a one vehicle collision and on their arrival found Robinson's red VW Golf on its roof. An ambulance was also called to attend the scene.

Robinson's vehicle is only able to carry four passengers but was found to be carrying five.

When blood tested Robinson was found to have 84ml of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system.

Mr Adrian Driver, defending, said he would urge the judge to be lenient towards his client when sentencing because Robinson may well lose his employment in the scrap metal trade if imposed with a lengthy driving ban.

District Judge Diane Baker said: "I take in to consideration your early guilty plea and that you are a young man of good character.

"But I must balance that with the fact you have committed a very serious offence, displayed some very poor driving and also caused an accident."