Drink driver more than twice the legal limit sentenced

Monday, 6 January 2025 06:05

A drink driver has been disqualified from driving after colliding with a vehicle which had a family of four inside.

In a hearing at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (2nd January), Jake Ridgway, 35, of Magnolia Drive, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, pleaded guilty to driving at more than two-and-a-half times the legal drink drive limit.

He was disqualified from driving for 22 months and fined £600.

On April 19 last year, police were called to a collision in Larkhill Road, Durrington, after a black Audi driven by Ridgway pulled out of a junction and collided with a Vauxhall Insignia.

A roadside breath test on Ridgway displayed 97mg per 100ml of breath – well above the 35mg limit – while a subsequent blood test came back as 205mg, more than double the 80mg limit.

He was summonsed to court and was sentenced yesterday.

PC Taylor, based in Salisbury, said: “Drink driving is one of the fatal five offences – in 2022 it’s estimated that 6,800 people were killed or injured when at least one driver was over the limit.

“Fortunately in this case there were no injuries, and I’m pleased the courts have taken another drink driver off the roads.

“If you know you are going out and are drinking, don’t take the risk driving home. Get a taxi, walk or get a lift. Plan your journey home – do not risk your life or the life of others.”

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