News

The Retford Today has recently reported that a drink driver involved in a car crash on the A1 near Blyth was found by a police helicopter in a nearby field.

Dad-to-be Scott Gourdie had drunk six or seven lagers before receiving a distressed call from his pregnant girlfriend on the evening of 22nd September 2012.

He then decided to drive home but crashed his Nissan Navara on the A1 around 11.15pm.

The vehicle was found in a ditch and was badly damaged.  A helicopter was called and Mr Gourdie was later found in a field.

He was taken to hospital before being escorted to the police station where he gave a reading of 86ųg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 35ųg.

While interviewed by police, he said he was ‘stupid’ and ‘regrets’ his actions.

Mr Gourdie, 34, from Oaks Fold, Bradford, admitted to the charge at Worksop Magistrates’ Court, Nottinghamshire on Monday morning.  He was banned from driving for 20 months and fined £210.

Mr Gourdie’s sentence was lenient in the circumstances.  The Magistrates’ Guidelines suggest a disqualification period of between 17-22 months where the reading in breath is between 60-89ųg.  Mr Gourdie’s reading of 86ųg was at the higher end of the scale and so a disqualification of the maximum 22 months would not have been manifestly excessive.  The fact that he was involved in an accident (albeit nobody else appears to have been involved) aggravates matters and he could have received a much harsher sentence.  He was also given the opportunity to attend on the drink-driving rehabilitation course, which will reduce his ban by four months, down to 16 months.