A TEENAGER’S effort to be a ‘Good Samaritan’ backfired after he was caught drink driving, a court heard.
Matthew Whillance, 18, was seen by police swerving on Roose Road, Barrow, after his friend was involved in a fight at an 18th birthday party.
Defence solicitor Patrick O’Hanlon told South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court his client had been drinking alcohol while at the party on April 2.
He said Whillance’s friend was involved in a fight at the party, which led to him driving away in his Mazda.
Mr O’Hanlon said: “There was a fight at the party, which was nothing to do with him (Whillance).
“He was going to leave his vehicle at the party but because of the incident, he took the decision to remove them both from the situation.
“He has no previous conviction and now loses his good character.
“He is in the midst of his A-level exams and comes to court today to take this on the chin.”
He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and fully complied with the police.
Magistrates handed Whillance a 12-month driving ban.
However, this can be reduced if Whillance completes a drink-driving rehabilitation course.
A magistrate remarked in their closing statement: “This unfortunately is a serious offence.
“You were doing the work of a Good Samaritan, but it has seriously backfired on you.”
Whillance, of Head Cragg, Kirkby, was also hit with a £199 fine.
He had 48 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millimetres of breath.
The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
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