Banned driver caught back behind wheel

Published on 24th May 2007 in News

A disqualified driver from Blacktoft who was caught drink driving has been released into the community to serve his punishment.

Nathaniel Wheel (32), of Main Street, appeared in Goole Magistrates' Court last Friday charged with drink driving, driving while disqualified, and having no insurance or MOT.

He pleaded guilty to all four offences, which were committed on March 23.

Prosecuting, Julie Laverack Glanville said that police had received reports that Mr Wheel, a disqualified driver, was driving from Camblesforth to Blacktoft in the early hours of March 23.

Officers waited for him in Blacktoft, and when he passed in a Volkswagen van, turned on their blue lights.

The van showed no signs of stopping, Mrs Glanville said, but drove through the village at about 30mph.

The police car, with its sirens wailing, followed the van for about half a mile until he turned into his own driveway.

Officers reported seeing Mr Wheel putting his arm out of the window and gesturing to them.

When they spoke to the defendant at his house, he admitted being disqualified.

Police also smelt alcohol on his breath, a roadside breath test proved positive and he was taken to Fulford Police Station in York.

There, a discrepancy in the Breathalyser readings meant he had to give a blood, which showed he had 107ml of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The limit is 80ml.

The court heard that Mr Wheel, who was banned in September 2006 for driving while disqualified, had been cooperative throughout all the procedures.

In his defence, Richard Fowler explained that his client had gestured to the police while driving because he was trying to indicate he wanted to return the vehicle home first.

"This was indicated by him not increasing his speed," he said.

He also said his client, who had been in custody since the incident happened, "would comply with any order you want to make".

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years and made a community order requiring him to do 60 hours unpaid work.

It also includes a supervision requirement and a requirement to attend a Think First programme.

Mr Wheel will pay £55 in court costs.