A DRINK-DRIVER who was more than three times the limit when he crashed his car and walked away from the scene, has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Police received a report of a one-vehicle road traffic collision on the B5294 in Cleator Moor on Saturday, February 26, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.
Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the caller provided a detailed description of the driver and officers located Mark Cox, 45, walking away from the incident.
He was stopped and asked to provide specimens of breath but refused to do so. He was arrested.
Cox made derogatory remarks to officers during the booking-in process at the police station. He was then further arrested for indecent behaviour at a police station.
He complied with a breath test at the police station and gave a reading of 122mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Ms Fee said the defendant was “highly intoxicated” when he left the scene of the collision and was abusive to officers throughout.
Cox’s probation officer said he presented with genuine remorse, shame and embarrassment. He had significant declines in his mental health and had been signed off work from Sellafield.
John Cooper, defending, said: “He’s an ex-rugby player. He has issues that make him quite fragile.
“He has apologised to the police. He comes across as very quiet and very polite. He comes across very different to the person in the paperwork.
“He remembers drinking in the pub then remembers waking up in the police station.”
Cox, of Ellis Gardens, Cleator Moor, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with alcohol level above the limit and indecent behaviour at a police station.
Passing sentence, lead magistrate Jennie Wilkinson said 122mcg was a “very high reading” and there had been an accident.
Cox was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. He was banned from driving for 32 months.
Magistrates imposed a three-month alcohol treatment requirement and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
The defendant must also pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel