Antique car fan was three times over the limit

An antique car enthusiast from Ollerton pledged to stop drinking alcohol after he was caught driving while three times over the legal limit.
Mansfield Magistrates CourtMansfield Magistrates Court
Mansfield Magistrates Court

Robert John Hallam, 60, of Wellow Road, admitted driving with 113 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes on June 9.

Ruth Snoddin, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was driving from Edwinstowe to Ollerton when he was stopped by police after reports he had been driving erratically.”

The court heard Hallam had a previous conviction for drink driving in 2008.

Ian Pridham, mitigating, said: “On the day in question he had gone to a help a family member with their shopping.

“He was very surprised at the height of the reading. He did a questionnaire about whether he was an alcoholic and the result was ‘yes.’

“As a result he has stopped drinking completely. Being stopped has been a wake-up call.

“He has an antique motor car which he likes driving as a hobby. He accepts that he may never want to drive again.”

The court heard Hallam’s daughter had issued him with an ultimatum - give up drinking or he will not see his grandchildren.

Magistrates banned him from driving for 40 months and gave him a 12 month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Related topics: