Man jailed following South Wiltshire drink driving

40 year old Steven Whatmore was found passed out in the driver's seat

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 30th May 2023

A man's been jailed for drink driving following reports of erratic driving around South Wiltshire over the weekend.

Steven Whatmore, aged 40 and from Ferndown Close in Basingstoke, was found passed out in the driver's seat of a Ford Transit at the Beehive park and ride site in Salisbury.

His van had been reported as being driven poorly on the A303 at Willoughby Hedge on Saturday afternoon (27th May), with concerns that the driver might be intoxicated.

Police were then alerted to the vehicle later crashing into a fence in Ivy Place in Salisbury, suffering damage including a punctured tyre, before leaving the scene.

The van was then seen on Phillips Lane, Old Sarum, weaving across the road, with the tyre having become completely shredded and come away from the wheel.

Police officers found the van at the Beehive, with a roadside breath test finding Whatmore was three times over the drink drive limit.

He was charged with drink driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, careless driving and using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

Whatmore pleaded guilty at Swindon Magistrates Court yesterday (Monday 29th May) and been sentenced to 12 weeks in prison.

He's also been banned from driving for four and a half years.

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