Suspended jail term for drink driver who had partner and child in car - The Malvern Observer

Suspended jail term for drink driver who had partner and child in car

Malvern Editorial 30th Oct, 2015 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

A DRINK driver who was caught four times over the limit has been given a suspended jail term.

Simon Hancock, of Walwyn road, Colwall, pleaded guilty at Redditch Magistrates Court on Tuesday (October 27) to driving with 140 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, told the court a motorist had called the police on October 10, in the evening, to report a small collision in a services car park. They suspected the driver involved in the accident was drunk and the officers later found Hancock driving on the M42.

They carried out a roadside breath test and the 37-year-old was arrested.




Defence solicitor, David Ollivere, said: “Mr Hancock is a man of previous impeccable character.

“This offence occurred on a Saturday. On the Friday evening he had been out drinking with some friends. The next day he was making his way to Cheltenham for a friend’s birthday and had some more to drink at lunch.


“He was in the car with his partner and her child and did not realise he was so far over the limit. His partner did not either or she would not have let him drive with her and her child in the car.

“There was a minor collision in the car park. He was in his father’s car which he is not used to driving. The parking sensors did not work and he reversed into another car. He stopped and exchanged details.

“He said he was alcohol dependant two and a half years ago but now has a positive new relationship and is now managing his alcohol consumption.”

District Judge Nigel Cadbury said: “It would seem that you are able to consume an enormous amount of alcohol with it not having an obvious effect on you that your partner did not even realise you were over the limit.”

Hancock was banned from driving for 32 months, sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months and to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.

He must take part in a 20-day rehabilitation requirement to address his issues with alcohol, which the probation service said he was ‘in denial’ over.

The District Judge also ordered him to pay £135 in prosecution costs, a £150 court charge and £80 victim surcharge.

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Malvern Observer.

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Malvern Observer.