Dudley judge calls drink-drive pair 'selfish'
A judge lambasted two drunk drivers in court, branding them "selfish" for getting behind the wheel after drinking.
District Judge Graham Wilkinson reprimanded the pair when they came before him at Dudley Magistrates' Court.
One had crashed his car, injuring his step-son passenger, and the other was at court on his second drunk driving conviction.
Judge Wilkinson said: "Every year in this country, there are about 2,000 serious accidents caused by drunk drivers. People like you kill people."
Thomas Clarke, aged 52, was caught after he crashed his Citroen Saxo on Cinder Road, injuring his step-son in the front seat.
Clarke, of Flavell Avenue, Coseley, said his step-son had suffered facial injuries.
The court heard the 25-year-old called Clarke on November 11 begging for a lift.
Clarke was later caught with a blood alcohol level of 109 milligrams, when the legal limit is 80.
Judge Wilkinson said: "If you had been going a bit faster, or if somebody had been crossing the road, you might have killed them."
Clarke was fined £375 and must pay £85 costs and a surcharge of £37.
He was banned from driving for 16 months. Kevin Davies also pleaded guilty to drunk driving.
The court heard Davies, 48, of Highland Road, Dudley, was stopped on Whealdstone Drive on December 19.
He admitted having 52 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
The court heard he had been convicted of drunk driving in 1997. He was banned for 20 months and fined £450. He must pay £85 costs and a £45 surcharge.
