Ban for drink driver who hit four-year-old

Electrician Philip Dempster was almost twice the drink drive limit when he hit the youngster, who was on his bike in Benion Road, Chadsmoor. The boy had to be rescued by neighbours after becoming trapped under the wheels of the van.

They lifted up the vehicle to free him and he was then airlifted to the University of North Staffordshire with injuries to his leg, neck, back and face.

The incident happened at 6.15pm on September 17.

Dempster, aged 53, appeared at Cannock Magistrates Court yesterday and admitted the charge of drink driving.

The court heard how he was found to have 68 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Mr Jeff Gibson, prosecuting, told magistrates how police were called to Benion Road following an incident there and when they arrived the driver was identified.

"He admitted to police that he had been drinking. He then went down to the police station and gave a sample," he said.

Dempster was not represented in court and said he already had six points on his licence and understood he would be banned from driving. But he said he would lose his trade by not having a driving licence.

"I will have to seek something alternative, but right now I haven't got an alternative," he said. "I really regret the situation."

Magistrates fined him a total of £250, ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victims surcharge of £15. He was also banned from driving for 17 months and warned that drink driving was a serious crime. He was offered to take the drink drivers rehabilitation course.

The boy is since back home and recovering after being knocked down.