Hucknall man was over the limit as he returned to work for second shift

Darron Potton's Hyundai was stopped on Bishop's Way, Hucknall, at 8.30pm, on November 18 last year, after he was seen driving erratically, said prosecutor Daniel Pietryka at Nottingham Magistrates Court.

A breath test revealed he had 61 mcgs of alcohol in his system when the legal limit is 35 mcgs.

Ran Johal, mitigating, explained that Potton finished a morning shift at 2.30pm, and went home where he drank two glasses of wine.

But he was called back to cover an extra shift and felt OK to drive, he said. He wasn’t aware of any erratic driving.

The court heard he has a previous conviction for the same offence from 16 years ago.

"He should have explored alternative methods of transport but made the foolish decision to drive," said Mr Johal. "He will suffer as a result of losing his licence. He has to take his 80-year-old mother to hospital for treatment. He bitterly regrets his actions.”

Potton, 53, of Station Terrace, Hucknall, admitted drink driving when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates Court, on Thursday.

He was banned from driving for 18 months, but he was offered a drink drive rehabilitation course which will reduce the disqualification by 25 per cent if he completes it before March 9, 2022.

Magistrates fined him £175 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge. The court gave him 28 days to pay.

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