An Eden Valley man caused a crash in a 12-tonne DAF Tipper truck and was found to be drink-driving after a heavy weekend.
Steven Greenhow, 53, lost his job following a crash in the area of Carlisle’s Hardwicke Circus roundabout on Monday, November 4.
“Police were called to a two-vehicle road traffic collision,” Diane Jackson, prosecuting, told the city’s magistrates’ court.
“Mr Greenhow was located next to his vehicle, which was a red tipper truck, weighing 12-tonnes as it was empty; 32 tonnes if it was loaded,” said Mrs Jackson.
“He started to give an officer an account of the collision. He said the Audi driver, which was the other vehicle, had cut across him, causing the collision.”
But Mrs Jackson continued: “Footage showed different. It showed that Mr Greenhow’s vehicle cut across the Audi driver.”
Greenhow, of Moss Grove, Shap, gave a positive roadside reading. An evidential specimen taken in custody showed 85 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath — more than double the legal limit of 35mcg.
In court, Greenhow admitted a drink-driving charge. He had no previous convictions.
Of the offence, Mrs Jackson said: “It is aggravated by the fact he was driving a heavy goods vehicle and a collision has taken place.”
Defence solicitor Sean Harkin said there were also mitigating features in the case.
“The defendant is extremely remorseful. He is a man of good character. He bitterly regrets what he has done. It is an error of judgement where he feels OK to drive after a heavy weekend,” said Mr Harkin. “It is perhaps reckless rather than deliberate.”
Greenhow told magistrates he was looking for alternative work after losing his job as a result of the incident.
He was fined £120 and banned from driving for 22 months.
The ban length will be reduced by 22 weeks if Greenhow successfully completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course which was offered to him.
