A 47-year-old Royal Navy sailor has appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff’s Court for the second time in three months, this time charged with drink driving.

Ratu Ralawa had been drinking in the Royal Bar on West Clyde Street, Helensburgh, on New Year’s Day. Police arrested him as he sat in the driver’s seat of his 4×4 in a car park near his home just after midnight the following day.

Prosecuting, Emma Petterson told the court: “At 7pm on January 1, the accused was in the Royal Bar in Helensburgh. The barman observed him drinking and was of the opinion he was drunk.

“At around midnight the barman contacted police, as he had seen the accused driving off.

“Police traced the accused at around 12.20am, in a car park outside his home. They spoke to the accused, who appeared to be very intoxicated.”

Ralawa identified himself as the driver before police took him to the police station in Greenock. He was cautioned and charged, to which he replied: “I’ve just been stupid.”

Officers carried out further checks, discovering that he only had a provisional licence and was not in fact insured to drive the car.

Defending, Judith Reid told the court her client had pleaded guilty to three driving charges at the earliest opportunity, saying “It was a matter of complete stupidity,”

“I don’t think there was any good reason at all for the driving; he took his wife’s car without her permission.

“There will be a knock-on effect in the services: he tells me he will keep his job but will be sanctioned separately by them in respect of this matter.

“He’s going to have to deal with the consequences of his disqualification while continuing to support his family.”

Ralawa had appeared at the same court in December charged with assaulting his partner at their home in August; he was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Sheriff John Hamilton – who also passed sentence in December – said: “It’s extremely disappointing that you are before me again. What a mess.

“What a stupid thing to do. I’ve no idea what your commanding officer will think of this, but there must be a time when the question will be asked whether or not you are suitable to be a sailor in Her Majesty’s Navy.

“Given what you have done to get yourself in the Navy, it’s an absolute disgrace that you should put that in jeopardy by drinking and driving with no excuse whatsoever. It brings disgrace on your service.”

After pleading guilty to drink driving, Sheriff Hamilton banned him from the roads for 18 months, adding another 80 hours unpaid work to his December sentence.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

Latest figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) show a jump of 4% in the number of drink driving related crashes on Britain’s roads.

An estimate of 5,900 crashes involving at least one driver who was over the limit occurred in 2018, 200 more than during the previous 12 months, meaning around 1 in 20 reported crashes involved a drunk driver, leading to around 240 deaths.

While the government in Scotland reduced the legal limit in Scotland to 50mcg alcohol per 100ml blood in December 2014, the limit in the rest of the UK remains at 80mcg.

Josh Harris, director of campaigns for the road safety charity “Brake”, said: “With thousands of people still being killed and injured at the hands of drink-drivers every year and little sign of this situation improving, decisive action needs to be taken.

“We’re calling on the Government to lower the limit and implement an effective zero-tolerance on drink-driving, making clear to drivers that when you’re behind the wheel, not a drop of alcohol is safe.

“We need to change the culture around drink-driving and that starts with changing a limit which gives a false impression that it is acceptable to mix alcohol and driving – this couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Even very small amounts of alcohol dramatically affect your ability to drive safely and the law should reflect this reality.”

The final drink drive casualty figures for 2018 will be published in August.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

Greater Manchester Police performed breathalyser or drug tests on 1,414 drivers between 1 December and 1 January as part of their “None for the Road” campaign against drug and drink driving.

A total of 372 drivers were subsequently arrested, with 261 for being over the drink driving limit, and 111 who tested positive for illegal substances.

Leader of this year’s operation, Chief Inspector Matt Bailey-Smith, said: “Results from this operation highlight the importance of the ‘None for the Road’ message and I want to reassure the public that although the festive period may have ended, police vigilance has and will remain at the same level throughout 2020 in a bid to crackdown on drink and drug drivers.

“Drink and/ or drug driving can have serious consequences and following on from an increase in serious and fatal collisions in 2019, we have stepped up patrols to tackle individuals who get behind the wheel when they are over the limit.

“I would urge motorists to consider their actions and the impact this can have, to not only their loved ones but also the loved ones of those who may be innocently caught up in collisions. Make this year the year you pledge #NonefortheRoad.”

Paul Fearnhead, Area Manager from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our firefighters are all too often called to serious road traffic collisions, and unfortunately witness life-changing injuries or death – caused by distractions while driving – of too many people.

“Collisions often occur as a result of distractions like driving too fast, mobile phones, and drink or drug driving, and working closely with Greater Manchester Police we continue to urge people not to take the risk of drink or drug driving – the consequences can be devastating and wreck lives.”

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A drug dealer in Kent has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after drink driving and crashing into three cars and injuring a teenager.

Paul Howes, from Gravesend, failed to stop after the accident and was later found to be in possession of class A drugs.

The court heard that the 48-year-old had been driving at around 10pm on June 14, 2019, when he collided with a parked car. The collision caused him to mount the kerb a few seconds later where he hit a teenage girl who was walking along the pathway, throwing her into a nearby garden and hitting a wall, causing her serious injuries.

Howes failed to stop, instead continuing to drive along the pavement until he collided with another car, forcing it into a fence.

Several members of the public witnessed the events were able to identify the vehicle and the driver.

Police attended the scene and a roadside breath test found Howes to be between 5 and 6 times the legal drink driving limit. He was arrested but refused to take further tests for driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

During his custody at a police station, Howes racially abused a police officer and was also found to be in possession of cocaine, and a search of his vehicle led to the discovery of 10 further wraps of the class A drug as well as cannabis.

Investigating officer, PS Chris Wade from the Serious Crash Investigation Unit said: “At the sentencing, the judge said this was one of the most serious cases the court had seen for causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Not only did Howes drive on the pavement he failed to stop after he had driven into a pedestrian. It’s lucky the person he hit wasn’t killed and no-one else was injured.”

Howes pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop, racially aggravated public order, failing to comply with an impairment test, failing to provide an evidential sample of blood, and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Woolich Crown Court sentenced Howes to four-and-a-half years in prison and banned him from driving for three years following his release. He will have to take an extended retest before being allowed back behind the wheel.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A Leicestershire grandmother has been banned from the roads for 22 months after being caught drink driving at nearly twice the legal limit.

Prosecuting, Suky Basi told Leicester Magistrates Court: “A witness was following behind a blue vehicle and, despite the speed limit being higher, the vehicle was driving at 30mph.

“As it overtook a cyclist it swerved to the left onto the grass verge and then returned to the carriageway.

“The vehicle took a sharp left bend and swerved onto the wrong side of the road and remained on the wrong side, where it collided with another vehicle.”

Following the accident, Leicestershire Police attended the scene where they noticed that 74-year-old Jane Southwell’s eyes were glazed. Police called an ambulance, and a blood sample was taken from Southwell.

The test came back showing a 155mg alcohol per 100ml blood where the legal limit is 80mg.

Mitigating, Ishtiaq Sarwar said: “She is very remorseful and embarrassed about her actions.

“She had a little to drink in the car but she believed she was not above the legal limit.

“She is grateful no one was seriously injured.”

He went on to explain that his client was feeling lonely and depressed after recently stopping working.

“This all started from depression,” he said.

“Over the years her responsibilities have minimised and she believes she is of no use to anyone any more.”

Stephen Bryan, chairman of the bench told the defendant: “The level of alcohol in your system was nearly double the minimum allowed.

“There’s evidence of an unacceptable standard of driving and then you were involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle.”

After pleading guilty to drink driving, Southwell was banned from driving for 22 months and ordered to pay £166 in fines, £86 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

Police in Warwickshire have released a report detailing the results of their Christmas Drink Driving campaign which ran between 18 and 31 December.

While the number of drink drivers arrested did not go up, the force said it was concerned a small minority still seemed to be ignoring the dangers of drink and drug driving both to themselves and others.

During the period, 32 arrests were made on suspicion of drink driving, while seven were made on suspicion of drug driving. Of those arrested, nine were arrested following a collision.

December in both 2018 and 2019 found an average of 20 people every week were arrested for either drug or drink driving during the enforcement periods.

During the campaign, it was found that several passengers were injured as a result of drink driving, and young children were also seen to be riding as passengers where the driver was under the influence.

Inspector Jem Mountford said: “This campaign is important because a quarter of all deaths on roads can be directly attributed to drink or drugs.

“It is encouraging that the number of drink drivers arrested does not appear to have increased but there is still more work to do as it is not acceptable to drink or drug drive.

“We would like to thank all those members of the public who reported the details of suspected drink drivers to us over the Christmas period.

“Several arrests were made as a result.

“Warwickshire Police is also grateful to those members of the public who recorded footage on their mobile phones or stayed with suspected drink drivers until officers arrived.”

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

Police in Warwickshire have been using their new Commercial Vehicle Unit (CVU) to catch law-breaking drivers as part of Operation Tramline. In just five days they detected 136 offences using a specially adapted HGV “supercab” owned by Highways England.

Inspector Mick Huntley said: “The operation is about keeping people safe on our roads and officers are looking for people that could pose serious danger to themselves and other road users.

“The ‘supercab’ is invaluable because it allows officers to see all road users from an elevated position, giving a much clearer view of what drivers are doing.

“For example, if a driver is using a mobile phone or not wearing their seatbelt. The ‘supercab’ allows our officers to film evidence of unsafe driving behaviour by pulling up alongside vehicles. Anyone we need to speak to is then pulled over by police cars following behind.”

The CVU stopped various vehicles on the M6, M40, M42, M69, and A46 in Warwickshire during the 5-day operation. Of the 136 traffic violations, 15 were caught using a mobile phone at the wheel which carries up to six points on the licence as well as a £200 fine. A further 54 drivers were caught not wearing a seatbelt, which carries a fine of up to £500.

Officers also found one unrestrained child in a car driving at high speed on the motorway, when they should have had a child seat fitted. This too carries a fine of up to £500.

Other offences caught by the CVU include careless driving, speeding, and driving too close to the vehicle in front.

Five vehicles were stopped for having no insurance, and one driver had no licence. In all cases, the vehicles were seized, and in the case of one driver check the driver was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

As well as private vehicles, the CVU used the ‘supercab’ to keep an eye on other commercial vehicles on the region’s roads.

Eleven vehicles were pulled over because they were found to have insecure loads, while police moved 10 HGVs on from the hard shoulder where they had parked to avoid paying fees at service stations.

Foreign vehicles must pay a levy to use the UK’s road network and of five checks carried out, one HGV was issued a Roadside Deposit Notice as the levy had not been paid.

It was also discovered on checking that same HGV’s tachograph that the driver had interfered with it to falsify his hours. He received a £500 on the spot fine and the vehicle was immobilised and the driver forced to take a nine-hour break.

The driver, and the company he works for, were referred to the traffic commissioner due to the serious nature of the offence. The traffic commissioner is responsible for licensing and regulating HGV operators and can also take action against drivers including suspension or revocation of a licence.

Operation Tramline has detected around 600 offences on the Warwickshire Road Network since 2019.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A former solicitor has been banned from the roads after a drink-driving accident. The court heard that the 66-year-old, who was on parole from a four-year prison sentence at the time, drank one and a half bottles of wine before going Christmas shopping.

York Magistrates heard that Giles Sandford Scott caused the accident on Strensall Road on December 7 while nearly three times the legal limit.

Scott had been released from a four-year prison sentence for fraud worth in excess of £500,000, carried out while he was a senior partner at a York law firm. The fraud led to him being struck off as a solicitor.

Magistrates heard that Scott had been struggling with the breakdown of his marriage following his conviction for fraud. He drank a bottle and a half of wine, then decided to drive to Halfords in York to do some Christmas shopping. He had driven five or six miles before the accident.

Brian Nuttney, representing Scott, said his client bitterly regretted his actions, which had been a wake-up call for him, and was now seeking help for his drinking.

Scott was convicted of fraud in 2016 at Teeside Crown Court after he took over £500,000 from elderly and vulnerable clients when he had power of attorney over their affairs. He pleaded guilty to five charges of fraud, six of theft, and seven of transferring criminal property.

James Bourne-Arton, his defence at the time, said: “He cannot forgive himself because of the effect on the victims and his wife.”

Clare Scott denied charges of fraudulent abuse of position as a carer and transferring criminal property, but was convicted by a jury and jailed for 12 months. She said she felt “exploited and manipulated” by her husband.

Magistrates in York heard that Mr Scott gave a reading of 102mcg alcohol per 100ml breath where the legal limit is 35mcg.

The banned him from driving for 23 months and he may have to have a medical test before getting behind the wheel again. He was also handed a 12-month community order with a 15-day rehabilitation requirement, 150 hours of unpaid work, and to take the drink-driving rehabilitation course. They also ordered Scott to pay a £90 statutory surcharge and £85 costs.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A man has appeared at Craigavon Magistrates Court pleading guilty to driving without a licence and using a vehicle without insurance.

The 38-year-old appeared via videolink from Maghaberry where he is currently imprisoned for offences predating that for which he was appearing.

John Joseph Connors has been banned from driving for three years and was handed a similar sentence last year. The deputy district judge described him as showing “a total disregard for the road traffic laws”.

According to the prosecution, police in Craigavon were on patrol at around 2.15 pm on June 6 when they received a radio call concerning a vehicle of interest – a blue Jeep.

Shortly thereafter the officers saw a blue Jeep Cherokee matching the vehicle’s description. They followed it, observing a single male occupant. The officers then stopped the Jeep and spoke to the driver, who identified himself as the defendant, admitting that he did not have a licence and was not insured to drive that vehicle.

The defence said: “He has a significant record for driving offences. He has subsequently been handed a suspended sentence for similar offences which occurred after this incident.

“He is in custody for other matters and currently does not have a release date.”

Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer said: “Since committing this offence on June 6, you then went out and drove again in September.

“That matter made it through the court before this and you were sentenced to five months in prison suspended for three years.”

He continued: “You have similar entries in your record including a dangerous driving from many years ago along with causing GBI through your driving.

“You have a record filled with road traffic offences and that is to say nothing of your acts of dishonesty. You have shown a total disregard for the road traffic laws.”

Mateer sentenced Connors to three months in prison, suspended for three years, and banned him from the roads for three years. Connors must also pay a fine of £400 and the offender’s levy of £15.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.

A man from North Staffordshire man was arrested for drink-driving at his home after a tip-off to police from a member of the public.

Peter Naylor was found to be more than three times the legal limit when he pulled up to his house on Boxing Day.

The 54-year-old from Newchapel appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre where Samina Rashid, prosecuting told the court:

“Police received a phone call from a member of the public reporting a male who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and driving.

“They gave the registration number of the vehicle. Police made checks and the registration came back to this defendant. They attended his home address.
“A minute after they arrived this defendant was seen driving his vehicle up the road and onto the drive. Officers spoke to him and suspected he was under the influence of alcohol. A roadside breath test was positive.”

Following his arrest, Naylor gave an alcohol reading of 115mcg alcohol per 100ml breath where the legal limit is 35mcg.

In a report to the probation service, Naylor said he had been drinking on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, but could not explain why he had driven.

Mitigating, Angela Trafford said of the married father-of-three: “This is a gentleman at crisis point emotionally. he was using alcohol as a crutch because he was trying to be a crutch for everyone else.”

“His father has had two strokes in the past six months and his brother has been told he has terminal cancer. His wife broke her collarbone and then her ankle. He lost his employment just before Christmas. This has all had a significant impact on him.”

With no previous convictions and a clean licence, Naylor pleaded guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit. Magistrates gave him a 12-month community order and to undertake 40 hours of unpaid work. He also received a 28-month driving ban which may be reduced if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course. Magistrates also ordered him to pay £135 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

About Carl Millar

Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.

Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.

With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.

Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535 or in an emergency you can call on 07732 054827.