Storrington drink driver disqualified

Nicholas Hall described his arrest as "overkill" despite being more than three times over the limit

Author: Adam GoacherPublished 13th Mar 2021

A driver who crashed into a ditch just metres from his home while drunk has been disqualified.

Nicholas Hall described his arrest as "overkill" after being found to be more than three times the drink-drive limit in Rock Road in Storrington on Thursday 18 February.

After failing a roadside breath test and being arrested, the 55-year-old told the arresting officer: “This is ridiculous. I’ve just put the car in the mud and that’s it.”

Investigating officer, PC Steve Lambeth, of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said: “We take all reports of drink-driving very seriously. Drink-driving even a short distance can destroy lives, and just a small amount of alcohol can significantly impair your ability to drive safely.

“But perhaps the more worrying aspect of this case is the complete arrogance and neglect displayed by Hall, who felt we were over-reacting by responding to this incident. Thankfully in this case, no one was hurt by his actions.

"The sentence passed by the magistrates demonstrates that it doesn’t matter how far you travel – if you are under the influence, you are breaking the law and you are posing a massive risk to yourself and other road users.”

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