Wisbech driver was 'quite surprised' to find he was over the drink drive limit

A Wisbech scaffolder who cut in front of a police car was found to be more than three times the drink-drive limit.

Michael Thomas Rains was stopped in a Vauxhall Astra in the King George V Avenue area of King’s Lynn at 1.40am on May 13.

Prosecutor Jane Walker told magistrates in King's Lynn on Thursday: “It was cutting in front of police officers which brought him to their attention.”

She added that he was stopped after turning into a dead-end road and: “He was suspected of being under the influence.”

Rains, 30, failed a roadside breath test and was arrested. In custody he blew 107 mgs of alcohol in 100 mls of breath; the legal limit being 35.

Rains, of Victoria Road, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. The court was told that he had a similar conviction in 2008 but this was outside the ten-year period as being relevant for sentencing.

Andrew Cogan, mitigating, said the background to the offence was that Rains’ partner had been admitted to hospital in Lynn as she was soon to give birth. Her mum was with her and Rains was frustrated as only one person was allowed due to coronavirus restrictions.

“He was very upset that he was unable to go in and be with his partner,” said Mr Cogan. “With nothing better to do he took himself to his uncle’s and had some drinks. He felt that he was okay to drive but clearly the intoxilyser puts the lie to that. “He was on his way home and was quite surprised when it showed he was over the limit.”

Rains was banned from driving for 26 months, fined £333 and ordered to pay £50 costs and £33 victim surcharge.