Drink driver told cops he'd downed a 'couple of tinnies' when stopped on A689 with no lights on

A Hartlepool man admitted driving with excess alcohol when he appeared before court.
By Sue Kirby
Published 23rd Nov 2019, 06:00 BST
The case was heard at Teesside Magistrates' Court in Middlesbrough.The case was heard at Teesside Magistrates' Court in Middlesbrough.
The case was heard at Teesside Magistrates' Court in Middlesbrough.

Ian Edward Cooper, 45, of De Havilland Way, admitted the charge when he appeared before Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecuting, Natalie Robinson, said Cooper was stopped by police around 7.25pm on the A689, on November 3.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said: “The vehicle was brought to his attention because there were no headlights on and no rear lights.

“It was stopped on the A689 close to the entrance to the Wynyard Business Park.”

Ms Robinson said the officer smelled alcohol and Cooped admitted he had had a ‘couple of tinnies’.

Tests found he had 53 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millitres of breath, with the limit being 35.

Cooper was not represented in court and didn’t want to give any mitigation.

He was banned from driving for 16 months and fined £800. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £80 surcharge.