Drunk doctor caused a pile-up

A doctor who admitted causing a car accident while four times over the drink-drive limit has narrowly avoided jail.

Mansfield magistrates were told how Nakul Hegde (35), of Furniss Avenue, Sheffield, had drunk two bottles of red wine, five pints of Stella larger and some vodka the night before the offence.

Robert Carr, prosecuting, said Hegde ploughed into the rear of a vehicle queuing at the junction of the A617 and the A60 in Mansfield, causing that vehicle to hit another car.

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Mr Carr said the doctor had his two children in the rear of his car at the time and later failed a police breath test, giving a reading of 143 mcgs per 100 mls of breath.

Hegde’s solicitor said the father-of-two had been drinking heavily as a way of coping with work-related stress.

He said: “The fact is Mr Hegde is very remorseful and somewhat shocked and embarrassed by this.

“A disqualification will impact on his family and patients and will be punishment enough.”

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Probation officer Jonathan Hand said: “I am satisfied Mr Hegde will not bother the courts again. He appears fully motivated to comply.”

Magistrates were told he would also face investigation by the General Medical Council.

Hegde was banned from driving for 36 months.

He was also given 150 hours’ unpaid work, £85 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.