Drink drive student learns 21st birthday lesson in Retford

Kane Woodward’s VW Polo was spotted by officers on Bridgegate, in the early hours of August 19, while he was driving without the lights on, or wearing a seatbelt.

Prosecutor Sarah Sanderson said: “When he was stopped he was asked “Have you been drinking?” and he said “No.” When he was arrested he became quite emotional.”

A test revealed he had 44 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Woodward, 21, of Lound Low Road, Sutton-cum-Lound, admitted drink driving when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on Monday.

Woodward, who described himself as a “hard-working student at Warwick University”, had no previous convictions, and told the court: “I have the utmost respect for the law and for the people who uphold it.”

He said: “Believe you me, being given a cold cup of coffee and getting my fingerprints taken at 3am on the morning of my birthday is a lesson I won’t forget.

“I can guarantee it won’t be happening again.”

He told the court he drank two glasses of champagne and a pint of beer while celebrating with friends in Retford, but felt “completely sober.”

He was fined £120, and ordered to pay a £30 victim surchargeand a contribution to costs of £50.

He was banned for 12 months, but he was offered a drink driving rehabilitation course, which will reduce the disqualification by three months, if completed before April 2018.