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24
Dec
Drunk man called police on himself after fearing he would drink-drive in Ripon
A drunk man called the police on himself after fearing he would get behind the wheel, Harrogate Magistrates Court was told on Tuesday (December 23).
Christopher Mitchinson, 43, pleaded guilty to one offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle when his alcohol level was above the limit.
Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, told the court Mitchinson called police at around 5am on December 9 to report being drunk and “worried he would drive”.
Officers went to Aldi car park on Ripon’s Stonebridgegate, where they found Mitchinson in the driver’s seat of his car. The keys were in the ignition at the time.
The defendant smelled of alcohol and was slurring his words, the court heard, and was crying when police found him.
Ms Whiteley said he gave a positive roadside breath test and was taken to Harrogate Police Station, where he gave a reading of 127 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath at 6.20am.
The legal limit is just 35 micrograms.
Mitchinson made a full admission to police and told officers he struggles with his mental health.
Ms Whiteley told the court:
The defendant said he went to Halifax that morning to get a job, but he couldn’t get in touch with the employer, so he got upset.
Mitchinson, of Arkle Crescent in Darlington, bought some gin on his way home. He later called the police on himself.
“He told officers he is alcohol dependent but he did not intend to drive”, Ms Whiteley added.
The defendant has one previous conviction, which was for drink-driving.
‘This was very much a cry for help’
Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court the defendant is very remorseful about what happened.
The court heard around a month before the incident, Mitchinson spoke to a doctor about struggling with his mental health and revealed details of childhood trauma.
Mr Nuttney said the defendant, who works as an asbestos remover, is potentially suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of such trauma.
He added:
Mr Mitchinson got a job interview, but he said there was a cock-up with phone numbers. His world then falls apart as he is mentally suffering.
He then goes and buys drink and stays in his car to keep warm. This was very much a cry for help, and he calls the police with the hope he will get some support for his mental health.
‘He says he is sorry’
The case was temporarily stood down for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Kirsty Fowler, a probation officer, later gave an oral report to the court. She said the defendant is self-employed but takes on contractual work through agencies.
She added:
The defendant tells me he did have a job starting that day, which is why he was up so early as he was going to Halifax. He did try to ring the agency but the phone didn’t work and he panicked as he really needed the money. He says he really wanted to work as he doesn’t do well when he’s not working.
After drinking the gin in the car, Mitchinson “realised how drunk he was and called the police”.
“He says he is sorry and understands the impact of drink-driving”, Ms Fowler said.
The defendant does not have any issues with his physical health but suffers from anxiety and depression, for which he is medicated.
He has also sought help from his GP and through a therapy agency.
Ms Fowler added:
He says he has not drunk since the offence and that he is not alcohol dependent, but he says he does binge drink when he does drink. This contradicts the Crown Prosecution [case] when he said he is alcohol dependent.
Passing sentence, the chair of the magistrates’ bench said: “This is a very high reading… this is not the first drink-related case you have had”.
Mitchinson was banned from driving for 10 months.
He was also handed a 12-month community order, during which he must complete up to 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 134 hours of unpaid work.
Mitchinson must also pay a total of £199 to the court.
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