Drink-driver crashes mother’s car in ditch

Jan 31 2008 by Julia Bosnyak, Glamorgan Gazette

A DRINK-DRIVER ended up in a ditch when he took the wheel of his mother’s car.

Stuart Anthony Cunningham, aged 21, of St John’s Road, Cefn Glas, admitted driving while twice the legal alcohol limit and without a licence or insurance.

Bridgend magistrates heard the incident happened at about 1.15am on November 11.

Lisa Bennett, prosecuting, said Pc Morgan was driving down Dan y Graig Hill towards Porthcawl when he noticed a car in a ditch.

“Pc Morgan spoke to the driver and immediately became aware that Mr Cunningham smelt of alcohol,” said Miss Bennett. Cunningham told the officer he had been drinking all day.

A breath test showed he had 70 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Chris White, defending, said Cunningham had been “feeling rather low” and had been drinking in the house before driving his mother’s car.

“He has apologised to his mother, he’s apologised to the police and he is embarrassed,” said Mr White.

Cunningham was banned from driving for 16 months and fined £250 with £50 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.