Staffordshire driver nearly five times drink drive limit

Stuart Gilchrist, of Berry Hill, Hednesford, Staffordshire, managed to travel around 14 miles from Exeter to Cullompton in Devon before he got lost as he tried to make his way back to the North Devon resort of Ilfracombe.

Police were alerted by the public who saw a lost Gilchrist driving around Cullompton in his Peugeot 405 in the town and arrested him for drink driving.

At the police station tests showed he had 165 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath – the maximum legal limit is just 35.

Defence lawyer Mr Peter Seigne said Gilchrist faced immediate jail because of the high reading.

But he told Exeter magistrates that the 29-year-old had become an alcoholic and suffered depression after the loss of a brother, father and friend.

The court heard he had gone to Ilfracombe for a holiday break with his 71-year-old mother. But on May 1 he drove alone to Exeter where he drank.

Mr Seigne said he tried to head back to Ilfracombe but only got as far as Cullompton in east Devon before losing his way.

Mr Seigne said: "He had no idea where he was because he was so much over the limit. He was unable to say for sure what triggered this offence."

Gilchrist had no previous convictions and never been in trouble with the law before.

"He was misusing alcohol on a regular basis. He had been to the funeral of a friend two days before. He was at a very low point. Alcohol has been his prop," said Mr Seigne.

"He said to me that 'alcohol does not solve anything and is ruining me'. The magistrates gave him a 16-week prison sentence suspended for two years, and gave him a six-month-long night-time curfew. He was ordered to pay £165 and banned from driving for three years.

Gilchrist, who admitted drink driving, quit his high flying job because of his difficulties with the bottle.

Chairman of the magistrates said: "I have never seen a reading as high as this in this court before. You were a real risk to the public and yourself over the distance you drove while under the influence of alcohol. The offences is so serious that prison is justified."