Fenland man four times drink limit ignores stranger’s plea not to drive

A court has heard how a motorist four times the drink-drive limit ignored pleas not to continue his journey.

A woman tried to stop Louis Stott from getting behind the wheel again but he recovered his keys and drove off.

The 50-year-old was outside a shop in Tilney St Lawrence after buying more alcohol.

At Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, Stott pleaded guilty to drink-driving with 140 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; the legal limit being 35.

He was given 12 weeks’ custody, suspended for one year, and disqualified from driving for three years.

The university worker was also fined £700 and told to pay £128 victim surcharge and £105 costs.

Prosecutor Eleanor Sheerin told the bench that the offence happened just after 6pm on July 31.

She described how the female witness saw Stott swerving in the road and hitting the kerb. Police were alerted.

After Stott parked outside the shop, the woman challenged him over whether he was possibly drink or drug driving.

“He told her that he was drunk and was going into the shop and was going into the shop to buy some more alcohol,” said Miss Sheerin.

“When he came back out with some rosé wine she tried to persuade him not to drive. He got his keys back and drove away.”

Police attended Stott’s home in Mill Road, Walpole Highway and he was arrested.

The court heard that the defendant had a previous drink-driving conviction in 2003.

Mitigating for Stott, solicitor Liz Symonds said he was “very ashamed” at what happened.

She described his poor mental health stemming from childhood issues and a long-term alcohol problem which he is addressing through voluntarily engaging well with support provider Change, Grow, Live.

“He knows he has an awful lot to lose. If he gets to the bottom of the issues that affect his mental health he won’t turn to drink any more,” Miss Symonds added.