A pensioner was caught drink-driving by police who were tipped off that he had stopped at a shop to buy more alcohol on his way home while the worse for wear.
Officers were on the lookout for 67-year-old Eric Peacock after receiving a call at around 6-45pm on 19th July. Concern had been raised about a male at Langwathby post office, near Penrith.
“He smelled of alcohol, he was unsteady on his feet and he was attempting to buy more alcohol,” prosecutor Diane Jackson told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.
Officers learned the details of a vehicle being used and went to the home of the registered keeper at the nearby village of Winskill.
No vehicle was located at that stage but police remained in the area and drove around rural roads looking for it.
“They went back to the address one last time,” said Mrs Jackson. “They noticed the Nissan Qashqai was driving towards them.”
Driver Peacock, of Pleasant View, Winskill, stopped the vehicle of his own accord, produced a driving licence but failed a roadside breath test. “He said he was complaining of chest pain and was taken to Carlisle hospital. He was assessed by a doctor and released because they had no concerns,” said the prosecutor.
At a police station, the lower of two specimens provided by Peacock showed he was a fraction under twice the legal drink-drive limit.
Peacock admitted driving with excess alcohol when he appeared in court. Magistrates heard he had been handed a 24-month ban in August, 2020, for a similar offence.
John Smith, defending, said Peacock lived in a rural area with no public transport.
He suffered from a number of medical conditions and was a carer for his wife who was in even worse health. “They will be badly affected by a (driving) disqualification,” Mr Smith told the court.
Peacock was fined £120 and ordered to complete a 40-month driving ban.
