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12
May
‘Model son’ sentenced for drink-driving near Harrogate
A man described as a “model son” admitted to drink-driving near Harrogate on Thursday (May 8).
Tobias Thompson, of Main Street in Sicklinghall, pleaded guilty to the offence at Harrogate Magistrates Court.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court police were asked to respond to a single-vehicle collision on Kirkby Lane, near Kirkby Overblow, on April 19 this year.
The defendant, who made the call to police, said his car was “upside down” and sounded distressed during the phone call.
Officers arrived at the scene and saw Thompson’s car on its roof, as well as glass and debris on the road.
The court heard the car had collided with a verge before hitting a tree.
Ms Ibbotson said officers could tell Thompson was drunk. They could not see any injuries on his body but he had been sick at the scene.
As the airbags had been deployed in his car, Thompson was taken to hospital to be checked over.
The 20-year-old was later released and taken into police custody, where he gave a reading of 100 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.
Thompson is of previous good character and had not previously been before the courts, Ms Ibbotson said.
‘A blip in a spotless record’
Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court Thompson was extremely remorseful and felt he had let both himself and his family down.
He reiterated that Thompson was of previous good character, but added he is also of “good conduct”.
The court heard:
Mr Thompson is a model son; he is a very hard-working young man.
Thompson had been out with friends that evening but had no intention of drinking.
However, his plans changed after a friend had offered him a place to stay.
But Mr Nuttney said Thompson lost contact with the friend and decided to instead sleep in his car.
When he got to his car, he made the “catastrophic decision” to drive home, the court heard.
Mr Nuttney said the defendant called the police himself as he did not want any other cars to be in danger.
The court heard Thompson, who is a university student, suffers from a medical condition that requires surgery.
Mr Nuttney told the court:
The pressures of university, living away from home and his looming operation could have clouded his judgement that night.
This is a blip in an otherwise spotless record.
The magistrates banned Thompson from driving for 24 months, which would be reduced by 24 weeks if he completes a drink-driving course by a set date.
He was also ordered to pay a £512 fine, a £205 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
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