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11
Apr
Soldier who was more than twice drink-drive limit in Harrogate sentenced
A Darley man admitted to being more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.
Max Knight, of Trafalgar Square, pleaded guilty to drink-driving at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday (April 10).
Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, told the court police officers were travelling on the A59 Skipton Road towards Harrogate at around 11.15pm on Christmas Eve last year.
Officers passed The Nelson Inn and activated the blue lights, before a car driving in the opposite direction veered into their lane.
The car had been driving in front of Knight’s car.
The court heard the driver saw the police car and began to slow down, but Knight did not notice the driver had slowed down and went into the back of the car.
This caused the driver to veer into the other lane, Ms Whiteley said.
She added:
The defendant got out of the car and told officers he was the one driving at the time. The defendant’s car sustained major damage at the front.
Knight, 26, gave a positive roadside breath sample and was arrested.
He was taken to hospital initially, where he recorded 175 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrams.
Knight is of previous good character.
Defendant is 'very remorseful'
Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court Knight was very remorseful for his actions.
He said Knight is not only of previous good character, but of “good conduct”.
The defendant has been a serving soldier since 2015 and now trains soldiers at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
Mr Nuttney added:
Mr Knight will be disciplined separately by the army for this.
Mr Knight made a bad mistake. He did not feel drunk at the time, but he knows it’s a risk he should not have taken.
Mr Nuttney asked the magistrates to keep the driving ban as short as possible, adding it was not for the sake of Knight but “for the service”.
The magistrates banned Knight from driving for 19 months. This would be reduced by 19 weeks if he completes a drink-driving course before a certain date.
He was also ordered to pay a total of £763. This comprises a £484 fine, a £194 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
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