Drink driver had a Thai licence

A teenager with a driving licence from Thailand had the keys to his car removed by a passerby who reported his driving to the police.
Blackpool Magistrates' CourtBlackpool Magistrates' Court
Blackpool Magistrates' Court

Joe Jones was found to be more than twice the alcohol limit after getting behind the wheel of his friend’s car because he thought his mate was too drunk to drive.

Jones, 19, an electrical engineering student, of Marton Fold, South Shore, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol without insurance.

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He was banned from the road for 18 months and fined £110 with £85 costs plus £20 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Alison Quanbrough, prosecuting, said a man reported Jones to police after seeing him drive a Nissan on Powell Avenue on February 13 at 7.40pm.

A breath test showed 73 micrograms of alcohol in his body – 35 is the limit.

Gerry Coyle, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had spent the last six years living in Thailand and had a Thai driving licence which he could drive on for a year in the UK.

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Jones drove his friend’s car because he thought the friend was too drunk to drive.

He was not familiar with the controls and he did not realise the exterior lights were not on.

He drove slowly to be cautious until a member of the public flagged him down.