Motorist fined after caught drinking in running car

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 07:14 · Archive

A 32-year-old man was fined £190 after police found him drinking alcohol in his running Ford Fiesta in Kendal.

Callum Blaikie, 32, was found by police around midnight on 31 July sat in the front passenger seat of his Ford Fiesta on Helm Lane in Kendal. The engine was still running, and officers discovered several cans of beer in the vehicle.

Blaikie provided a roadside breathalyser test showing 72 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. This dropped to 53 micrograms when tested in police custody, but both readings exceeded the legal limit of 35 micrograms. He was arrested and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to having alcohol above the legal limit whilst in charge of a motor vehicle.

At South Cumbria Magistrates' Court, his solicitor Liza Phizacklea explained that he had recently ended a 13-year relationship, which was particularly difficult for him. She told the court he was a man of good character with no previous convictions, in full-time employment, and had shown significant remorse.

Magistrates fined Blaikie £190, endorsed his licence with ten penalty points, and ordered him to pay £85 in court costs and a £76 victim surcharge.

How it is being reported

• Motorist caught drinking in running car after 13-year relationship endedA MOTORIST going through a ‘particularly difficult’ time has been sentenced after he was caught consuming alcohol in his vehicle.Westmorland Gazette · 9 Oct, 06:00
• Motorist caught drinking in running car after 13-year relationship endedA MOTORIST going through a ‘particularly difficult’ time has been sentenced after he was caught consuming alcohol in his vehicle.NW Evening Mail · 9 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Callum Blaikie · South Cumbria Magistrates' Court · Kendal

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