Blind man sentenced to 36 weeks for drunk-driving in UK

A blind man has been sentenced to 36 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, after driving 240 kilometers while drunk, according to the BBC.

Anthony Hall, 50, did not have a driving licence when he took his partner’s car and drove from his home in Huddersfield.

The court heard that Hall and his partner had drunk four bottles of wine before he started driving.

Hall had previously admitted dangerous driving at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.

He also admitted drink-driving, driving without a licence or insurance and taking a car without consent.

Police stopped him on M6

Police received a report in the early hours of 29 June about a driver on the M6 northbound who was allegedly drunk and blind.

Hall was stopped after police saw his Vauxhall swerving near junction 42.

He recorded 50 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath during a roadside test.

A later test at a police station recorded 46 micrograms.

The legal drink-drive limit in England and Wales is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Hall told police he had planned to drive to Scotland to escape problems at home, in his relationship and with his finances.

The court heard that he also stopped for fuel, where an attendant filled his car.

No-one was injured.

Court hears Hall was in crisis

Hall’s lawyer, Adele Graham, said he had no previous convictions and had suffered a breakdown before the journey.

“This was an individual in crisis making a poor decision while in crisis,” she said.

Magistrate Tracey McErlain-Burns said Hall was of previous good character and had faced difficult personal circumstances.

She said the custody threshold had been crossed but decided to suspend the sentence.

Hall must complete rehabilitation activities and abstain from alcohol for 90 days.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £272 in costs.