Carpenter's driving ban for ferry drinks

A carpenter has been hit with a motoring ban after he was caught drink-driving following a boozy Channel crossing from France.

Benjamin Darby-Jones, 32, of Hindover Road, Seaford, was arrested shortly after rolling off the ferry at Newhaven.

Prosecutor David O'Driscoll told Lewes magistrates, "Mr Darby-Jones was stopped by police driving a Transit van on October 29.

"He had come off the ferry from Newhaven and had been drinking on the ferry.

"He failed a roadside breath test and gave a reading of 67mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The limit is 35mcg.

"He was fully co-operative throughout and he has no previous history apart from one very old conviction for possessing amphetamine."

Darby-Jones, who previously held a clean licence, admitted drink-driving when he appeared in court on Wednesday.

Representing himself, he said, "Since I was arrested I've had a chance to look at my morals and I realise it was a very stupid thing to do and the consequences could have been far greater.

"I can honestly say I will not do it again.

"I rely heavily on transport to get myself to work and for tools.

"I'm working quite locally at the moment and do have friends who can help me out.

"Hopefully the impact of a ban on my earnings will not be too severe."

Magistrates banned Darby-Jones from driving for 16 months and fined him £200 with a further £75 in costs.

The disqualification will be cut to 12 months if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

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