A Keynsham man was caught driving over the legal alcohol limit as he fled a heated confrontation at a wedding, a court heard yesterday.
Mark Stewart admitted to driving with a breath alcohol level above the legal limit when he appeared before Bath Magistrates' Court.
The incident took place in May while Mr Stewart and his wife were attending a wedding. Following an argument that escalated, Stewart left the venue and was later arrested shortly after midnight on 17 May for drink-driving on Newlands Road, Keynsham.
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His breath test measured 53 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mg.
Defending solicitor Bradley Axom explained that the altercation prompted Mr Stewart to leave and that he initially attempted to call an Uber before deciding to drive himself. The court was informed that Stewart was being pursued by other family members at the time.
Mr Axom added that although Stewart had consumed three beers, he did not consider himself intoxicated: “He did not perceive himself to be inebriated.”
The defendant, aged 53 and residing on Newlands Road, Keynsham, is employed in a role that could be at risk if he lost his driving licence.
Stewart was disqualified from driving for 14 months and enrolled on a drink-drive awareness course. The court stated that successful completion of the course would reduce his ban by 107 days.
In addition, he was fined £600 with a £240 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £400 in prosecution costs, totalling £1,240.
When requesting to pay the fines at £20 per month, the court rejected the proposal. A negotiation ensued, with magistrates suggesting £50 per month and the defendant countering with £30. The magistrates then firmly instructed: “This is not a negotiation,” and imposed a repayment plan of £100 per month.