A drink driver from Gretna who was more than four times the legal alcohol limit after turning up for factory work told a court he would take his sentence “on the chin”.
Mark Smith, 48, came to the attention of police at around 8.50pm on May 6 when two officers were on duty in a marked patrol vehicle close to Brunel Way, Durranhill.
Pam Ward, prosecuting, told Carlisle’s magistrates’ court: “They were made aware of an ongoing incident near to their location.
“Staff at a nearby factory had caught a member of staff being drunk whilst at work.”
Smith, of Union Road, Gretna, was put through the company’s own internal alcohol testing procedure and gave a positive sample.
Mrs Ward added: “Police were greeted by staff at the gate.
“They were told the defendant was in a security booth. He smelled of drink and failed their own alcohol test.”
Security staff reported seeing Smith driving his vehicle. CCTV was analysed and showed him parking his Renault Clio and walking to the front entrance of the factory.
The lower of two later evidential readings showed 141 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35mcg.
Smith, a man of previous good character, pleaded guilty to drink driving and was sentenced on Tuesday.
Unrepresented by a lawyer, he told the court: “I am not a drinker, not really. I live on my own. I lost my younger brother and I am getting divorced from my wife.
“My wife has moved to Carlisle. I don’t really get to see my son. The only time I will take a drink is when I get down, if you know what I mean?”
Smith added of the looming punishment: “I will just take it on the chin.”
Magistrates read a probation service background report and retired briefly before handing down their sentence.
Smith was made subject to a 12-month community order comprising 200 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge, and banned from driving for 30 months.
He accepted the offer of a rehabilitation course which if completed, would see his ban reduced by 30 weeks.
Smith was told by lead magistrate Mark Travers: “This is a really serious offence; a high level of alcohol in your system and driving.
Mr Travers added: “We also heard there is a good deal of remorse for this offence.”
