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@Wannabe
Just thought I'd share the following story about what actually goes on inside a courtroom...none of this information is secret or privileged, obviously, and any one of you could have sat in the public gallery and heard all of the below...
Witness hears his car alarm at 11.30pm, heads out and finds a bloke in a volvo has reversed into it. Damage to both vehicles, albeit v minor. Tells driver to get out, who promptly tries to drive off. Seems too pissed. Keys taken from ignition by witness. Police arrive, he's asked to provide a sample of breath. BING BING BING red light, free trip to local nick, breath test, reading is 88 in breath, limit = 35. Well over double. 2005 -- previous conviction for drink drive, for which he received 80 hours community service ("unpaid work" these days).
He pleaded guilty, and then argued that there were special reasons for not disqualifying him (which would be for at least 3 years, given that he had a previous conviction for drink drive within the last 10 years). Special reasons can be anything, but one of the most common is shortness of distance driven. He said he was on the way home, his partner driving, they argued, she got out and stormed off, he decided to park the car. When the police arrived the officer had to move the car out of the road, because when asked, none of the people in the car said they could drive the car.
The court didn't find that there were special reasons. Banned for 3 years, another 80 hours community service, £100 costs. 9 months off his ban if he does the drink drive awareness course (few hundred quid, two days). Judge asked for his licence..."It's with the DVLA, I've applied for a provisional HGV licence"
Thank goodness he's off the road for a while.
If someone with no previous convictions has a reading of up to 89, pleads NOT guilty, but is then convicted, they can expect a band C fine according to the sentencing guidelines -- i.e. 150% of their weekly income.
Mobile phone -- £60 fine and 3 points.