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Ashford van driver caught drink-driving in Folkestone gets 40-month ban

18:46, 24 June 2023

A drink-driver spotted speeding and undertaking another vehicle in a town centre has been handed a 40-month ban.

Lee Robertson was at the wheel of his Volkswagen Caddy in Grace Hill, Folkestone, just after midnight on April 7 when police decided to put their blue lights on and pull the van over.

Grace Hill, Folkestone. Picture: Google Street View
Grace Hill, Folkestone. Picture: Google Street View

The 32-year-old stopped in nearby Rendevous Street and officers saw there was another man in the passenger seat. When they spoke to Robertson, he admitted he’d had a drink prior to getting in his vehicle.

Officers also smelt alcohol on his breath and asked him to do a roadside breath test, which he failed. He was arrested and taken to Canterbury police station for further tests.

Robertson, of Amage Road, Ashford, gave a reading of 60 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

He was later charged with drink-driving and appeared before magistrates in Folkestone on June 22, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

Jeremy King, prosecuting, told the bench Robertson had a previous conviction for drink-driving when he got an 18-month ban in March 2020. The bench also heard Robertson only got his licence back in September 2022.

Robertson admitted drink-driving when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates' Court. Stock picture
Robertson admitted drink-driving when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates' Court. Stock picture

Defending himself, Robertson said he was driving that night as he had intended to drop his friend off.

Magistrates banned him from driving for 40 months because it was his second such conviction within a 10-year period. They also fined him £700 and ordered he pay a victim surcharge of £280 and £85 costs.

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