Bognor man banned after drink-driving home for Christmas
He was stopped by police with his children's presents in the car
A Bognor who man spent Christmas Day in custody after being stopped while drink-driving has been banned from the roads for three years.
Sean Wooldridge was caught by officers driving down the A259 at Rustington without any lights on, at around 10pm on Christmas Eve.
The 37-year-old salesperson, of Linden Road, confessed to having two pints of beer before getting behind the wheel.
He also had several wrapped presents in the car, which he said he was hoping to deliver to his children in time for Christmas.
A roadside breath test revealed he had 46mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system. The legal limit is 35mcg.
He was subsequently arrested and charged, and pleaded guilty to the offence.
At Worthing Magistrates’ Court on March 9th, he was disqualified from driving for three years.
He was also fined ÂŁ120, and ordered to pay ÂŁ85 costs and a ÂŁ34 victim surcharge.
Wooldridge was among 212 people arrested during Sussex Police's Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-drivers, which ran from December 1st, 2020 to January 1st, 2021.
Of those arrested, 42 have since been convicted in court. The remaining have either been charged, released under investigation or released without charge.
Another driver to be convicted in West Sussex was 42-year-old builder Daniel Rutherford, of Elm Park in Ferring.
He was arrested on the A280 at Findon on December 17th and charged with driving with 92mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.
At Worthing Magistrates’ Court on March 2nd, Rutherford was disqualified from driving for 22 months. He was also ordered to pay a £500 fine, £85 costs and a £50 victim surcharge.
People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug-driving, or visit the Operation Crackdown website.
They can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online.
If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs, call 999.