One of the first people to be arrested as part of the annual Christmas crackdown on drink and drug drivers has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Paul May, 56, unemployed, of Dakin Close, Maidenbower, Crawley, was stopped by police in the early hours of Sunday 3 December.
He was arrested after staff at a petrol station reported seeing him stumbling from a vehicle – and then he asked to buy alcohol.
His speech was slurred and his vehicle also appeared damaged.
At the roadside, he gave a breath test for 74 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.
He then became unco-operative with police and, in custody, he refused to provide a sample of breath for analysis so he was charged with failing to provide.
At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Monday 4 December, he admitted the charge and was banned from driving for four years.
The court ordered him to complete six months of treatment for alcohol dependency as part of an eight-week suspended prison sentence.
May must also complete eight rehabilitation activity requirement sessions and pay a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.
His arrest happened as part of Operation Limit, a nationwide campaign to tackle drink and drug-driving which ran from Friday 1 December to Monday 1 January.
In keeping with previous campaigns, some of those convicted of these offences will be identified by Sussex Police to help raise awareness of the campaign and to highlight the consequences as a deterrent to others to prevent them committing the same offences.
Superintendent Rachel Glenton, head of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “Those who commit these offences risk punishments which include being disqualified from driving, heavy fines, and even the risk of going to prison.
“These are nothing compared to the risk they pose of causing serious harm or even the death of themselves or other road users.
“Drink or drug driving is one of the main causes of people being killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“That is why we continue to urge people to take steps to prevent drink and drug-driving, such as persuading loved ones not to drive, and taking sensible steps such as pre-booking taxis or walking home.
“Our officers are determined to catch offenders to help keep our roads safe.”
