Farmer banned after crashing while drink driving following eclipse

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 07:02 · Archive

Lewis John Robert Hammond, 23, was banned from driving for 22 months after crashing his Nissan Navara into a hedge on the A683 at High Casterton on August 12. He returned a breathalyser reading of 89 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. He also admitted driving with a provisional licence and no third-party insurance.

Hammond had been watching the solar eclipse with friends that night. His defence solicitor Andy Gallagher said he had joined his friends in drinking before attempting the short journey home from Ireby, where he works on a family farm in a remote location.

Magistrates offered Hammond the opportunity to complete a drink driving rehabilitation course, which if successfully finished would reduce his ban by 22 weeks. They also ordered 80 days of alcohol abstinence monitoring. The chair of the bench, Chris Harris, said: 'We would suggest this was more than just a few drinks from the reading. Thank god no-one was injured.'

How it is being reported

• Farmer banned for drink driving after watching solar eclipse with friendsA FARMER has been slapped with a ban for drink driving after watching the Solar Eclipse with friends.Westmorland Gazette · 21 Oct, 06:00
• Farmer banned for drink driving after watching solar eclipse with friendsA FARMER has been slapped with a ban for drink driving after watching the Solar Eclipse with friends.NW Evening Mail · 21 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Lewis John Robert Hammond · Cumbria Magistrates' Court · South Cumbria · High Casterton · Ireby · Kendal

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