A man from Keynsham was banned from driving after being found to have exceeded the legal alcohol limit while trying to leave a wedding following a heated dispute, a court heard.
Mark Stewart appeared at Bath Magistrates' Court, where he admitted driving a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration above the permitted level.
The incident took place in May when Stewart and his wife were attending a wedding. According to court proceedings, an altercation at the event escalated, prompting Stewart to leave the venue.
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After attempting to call an Uber and being pursued by other family members, Stewart drove along Newlands Road in Keynsham shortly after midnight on 17 May. He was subsequently arrested, and his breathalyser test showed a reading of 53 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, with the legal limit being 35mg.
Defending Stewart, Bradley Axom explained that his client had drunk three beers and did not perceive himself as intoxicated. Stewart initially wished to plead guilty at an earlier hearing but followed advice from a duty solicitor to delay the plea.
The court was informed that, at 53 years of age, Stewart could face losing his job if disqualified from driving.
Stewart, who resides on Newlands Road in Keynsham, was banned from driving for 14 months and was enrolled in a drink-drive awareness course; completion of the course will reduce his ban by 107 days.
In addition, he was fined £600, ordered to pay a £240 surcharge, and £400 towards prosecution costs, totalling £1,240.
Stewart requested to pay the amount in monthly instalments of £20, which was declined. After some negotiation with the magistrates, who initially suggested £50 per month, he offered £30. The court firmly reminded him, “this is not a negotiation,” and ultimately set the repayment at £100 per month.