Third strike drink-drive dad lost job

A sacked worker was banned from the roads for four years after being caught drink driving for the third time.
Nottingham Magistrates Court.Nottingham Magistrates Court.
Nottingham Magistrates Court.

Father-of-four Sadrul Choudhury, 43, of Goldsmith Street, Mansfield was over three times the legal limit when he was spotted driving on the wrong side of a road at 2.20am on May 3.

He got a 12-week prison term, suspended for a year, and must pay a £115 government surcharge and £85 prosecution costs. He must attend a six-month alcohol treatment course run by probation officers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Presiding magistrate David Wilson said: “The first thing we have to do is protect the public and this is a high level of alcohol.

“Also it is a display of driving which clearly could have caused an accident to other members of the public. For the foreseeable future, you should not be on the road.”

Sanjay Jerath, prosecuting, told magistrates in Nottingham: “Police saw a Nissan driving on the wrong side of the carriageway and travelling where trams operate.”

Police stopped him and he failed a breath test, later giving a reading of 120 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 85 over the limit on Bentinck Road, Nottingham.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was an extremely high reading - way, way over,” said Mr Jerath, who told the court that Choudhury had drink drive bans imposed in 2005 and then two years after that.

Vicky Clayton, mitigating, said Choudhury is an alcoholic who had tackled the problem before. After this incident, he went to his GP and a support group who are helping him.

“He is deeply ashamed of his actions that evening. He had difficulties at work with a member of staff.

He seems to use alcohol as a coping mechanism when things are difficult. That is why on that evening he increased his usage,” said Miss Clayton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was sacked and is now living on sickness benefits with his wife and children in Goldsmith Street, Mansfield. Choudhury pleaded guilty to drink driving.

Miss Clayton said he would have to pass a medical if he ever sought to renew his licence. She told the court: “That is something the DVLA will take very seriously.

“He has been told by his family this is his last chance. He has to give up alcohol otherwise his family will not support him any more.”

After being sentenced, he told JPs through his solicitor: “Thank you for your time this afternoon and for your decision.”