3 days ago
Man who flipped car over onto roof is handed driving ban
A MAN who had been drinking when he flipped his car over onto its roof while driving through Marston Magna has been given a 16-month driving ban by the courts.
Ronnie Andrew Howes had been drinking before getting behind the wheel and being involved in a single vehicle accident on the A359.
After being taken to hospital for checks he provided a blood sample which showed he was over the limit, Somerset Magistrates were told.
Howes, 35, of Hood Road, Yeovil pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving on November 2 last year.
Prosecutor Genna Morgan said on the day in question the police were alerted at 1.45pm of an accident involving a single car on the A359 at Marston Magna.
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'When they arrived they found a vehicle on its roof and could see the driver was under the influence of something, was slurring his words and smelt of alcohol,' she said.
Howes was checked over by paramedics and taken to hospital and a blood test revealed a reading of 129mlg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mlg of alcohol.
Defending solicitor Greg Peters said his client blamed the incident on a 'moment of madness.'
'He says it will have a profound effect on his life both physically and mentally as he now has a serious wrist injury and limited mobility,' he said.
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'He is grateful that nobody else was hurt and just cannot explain why he drove that day.'
At the time Howes was homeless but had just secured a new job and would now be investing in a bike to be able to get to work.
Alongside the driving disqualification the magistrates fined him £461 with a £184 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
