Four Times Over the Limit at Brighton Marina
Tadhg Ryan, 36, didn’t just drink and drive — he blew a staggering 145 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than four times the legal limit. Ryan was caught red-handed at the McDonald’s in Brighton Marina on 10 December, with a three-year-old child in the back seat.
The sight of Ryan passing out behind the wheel sparked a swift police response. He was charged with drink-driving and being dangerously drunk in charge of a child.
Harsh Penalties for Sussex’s Worst Offenders
At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 20 February, Ryan was slapped with a 30-month driving ban and a 12-month community order, demanding he join an alcohol abstinence programme. He also faces court costs and a victim surcharge.
Ryan’s case is one of nine sentencing results emerging from Sussex Police’s Christmas drink and drug-driving blitz, which ran from 1 December to 1 January. The crackdown saw 279 arrests across the county — a grim reminder of how many take the risk during the festive period.
Full List of Sentenced Drink-Drivers
- Tadhg Ryan, 36, Brighton Marina Village: 30 months disqualified, community order, alcohol abstinence programme, court costs, victim surcharge.
- David Mutch, 46, Eastbourne: Driving ban, fines, costs, surcharge after pleading guilty.
- John Brown, 35, Bognor Regis: Disqualified and fined for drink-driving.
- Daniel Shepherd, 33, Worthing: Driving ban and fine following conviction.
- Jack White, 29, Crawley: Fined and banned after guilty plea.
- Lee Martin, 42, Hastings: Disqualified, fined, and hit with costs and surcharge.
- Connor Smith, 27, Chichester: Banned and fined for drink-driving.
- Michael Green, 51, Horsham: Disqualified and fined.
- Ryan Taylor, 39, Brighton: Driving ban, fine, plus extra court costs.
Sussex Police Warning: Think Before You Drink and Drive
Sussex Police stress they will keep publicising these cases to warn drivers that drink and drug-driving won’t be tolerated. They urge motorists to consider the deadly risks — including causing injury or death, jail time, hefty fines, and a criminal record.
This festive season crackdown is a clear message: don’t risk it on the roads.
