Drink-drive nurse sorry for 'letting everybody down'
A mental health nurse was caught nearly three times the drink-drive limit on his way back from his uncle’s funeral.
Denford Chitombo, aged 51, was banned from driving for 23 months after being stopped in Catisfield Crescent, Wolverhampton, on January 2.
He pleaded guilty at Walsall Magistrates Court to driving a motor vehicle over the alcohol limit.
Chitombo, of Massbrook Grove, Wolverhampton, was also given 80 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £135.
He was found to have 100 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
He said: “I’m ever so sorry. I feel I have let down everybody, myself, my family and my colleagues.”
Bench chairman Miss Jill Parker said: “Hopefully you can complete your sentence and we won’t see you back here.”
Chitombo, who had no previous convictions, was driving in a Silver Honda Accord from his uncle’s funeral at the time with a family member.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “Chitombo was arrested at around 1.40am on January 2 on suspicion of being in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs.
“The 51 year-old was subsequently charged with driving a vehicle when the alcohol level is above the limit and bailed to appear at Walsall Magistrates Court.”
Defending, Mr Wakeman said: “Mr Chitombo doesn’t drink regularly.
“He had been to the funeral of his uncle, who sadly died.
“He hadn’t intended to drive but a member of his family asked for him to give them a lift home.”
The court heard Chitombo would not lose his job as a result of losing his driving license.
Chairman Miss Parker added: “We have taken into account your previous good record and your guilty plea.
“We will give you a community order for a period of 12 months supervised by the probation service.
“You will do 80 hours unpaid works, reduced from 100 for the reasons I gave you (for an early guilty plea and previous good character).
“You will be disqualified from driving for 23 months.”
Chitombo was also offered a drink-driving rehabilitation course.
