Nottinghamshire man’s drunk ‘joyride’ in boss’s Mercedes

Nottingham Magistrates Court heard that Tony Mugford, 23, of Derby Road, had been out drinking with his boss, Shaun Bright, on Saturday, November 28.

But after Mr Bright called it a night and went to bed, Mugford, who has not passed his driving test, decided to visit his ex-girlfriend.

Neil O’Sullivan, defending, said: “As he had no means of transport he borrowed Mr Bright’s car. Mr Bright was woken by his son at 11.20pm who told him that his car was being stolen from the drive.”

They rang the police and 15 minutes later Mugford was pulled over by police on Church Lane, in Brinsley.

When breathalysed Mugford was found to have 44 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol.

Police also found a £20 bag of cannabis on him.

Mugford admitted drink driving, taking without the owner’s consent, driving without insurance or a license, and possession of cannabis.

On Tuesday Deputy District Judge French said: “All of these issues made it more likely that you would have an accident. You went on a 15 minute joyride.

“You have exploited the good nature of your employer.”

The court heard that Mugford’s employer, who runs a property development company, would continue to keep him on as a maintenance man.

He was given a community order and told to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and attend a drug rehabilitation course for three months.

He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and must pay a £60 surcharge, a criminal courts charge of £180 and £85 in costs.