Drunken motorist stopped by police after halting on Washington roundabout
A drunken motorist attracted the attention of patrolling police in Washington when he strayed between lanes – then stopped while circling a roundabout, a court heard.
Darren Harrison, 51, was seen swerving his VW Transporter across white lines by police travelling behind on the A194(M) in the early hours of Saturday, December 20.
Harrison, of Rockcliffe Way, Ayton Banks, Gateshead, was then seen to pull on to a roundabout but come to a stop – before resuming his journey, prosecutor Keith Laidlaw said.
When pulled over in Havannah Road, Albany, he gave a reading for alcohol of almost three times the limit, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.
He had boozed with his former partner the night before but an argument led to him leaving one of their abodes and getting behind the wheel.
Harrison, a former production management worker, pleaded guilty to a drink drive charge and was handed an interim driving ban, his case being adjourned for reports.
Mr Laidlaw said: “Two officers were on mobile patrol on the A194 in Washington when they saw a blue VW in front.
“It was all over the road and it crossed the centre of the road a number of times. They thought the driver may be intoxicated and followed.
“At one point, the vehicle stopped in the middle of a roundabout, before travelling off and onto the Washington Highway.
“As a result of what they had seen, the defendant’s vehicle was stopped. They spoke to him and believed he was intoxicated, he was showing all the classic signs.”
Harrison, who has a single historic and unrelated conviction, gave a reading for alcohol in breath of 100mcg. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Hannah Mostoufi, defending, said: “He had been out for lunch with his ex-partner, and they stayed out for some drinks.
“He’d gone home and gone to bed, and he’d had three or four-hours’ sleep, and felt ok.
“They got into a bit of an argument, and he thought it was better to leave and he got into his car. It was a big shock to realise how much he was over the limit.”
District Judge Zoe Passfield granted Harrison unconditional bail to be sentenced at the same court on Thursday, February 19.