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Serial Drink Driver from Barnham jailed

A man has been convicted of drink-driving twice in three days. About 11.40am on Saturday 28 March, police stopped a white Ford Transit van in Westergate Street, Westergate, following reports the driver could be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was identified as Leigh Banks, 42, a plumber, of Wentworth Close, Barnham. He was required to undergo a roadside breath test, which he failed. He was subsequently arrested and charged with driving with 148mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system – more than four times the legal limit of 35mcg. Banks was released on unconditional bail to appear before magistrates in May. However, three days later on Tuesday 31 March – his 42nd birthday – he came to officers’ attention again. He had been reported for breaching coronavirus social distancing rules by attending another person’s address in nearby Warren Way. Police attended, and due to the fact he had been drinking, they gave him a lift home. Officers remained in the area and just 20 minutes later, Banks was seen to return to Warren Way, where he got into his vehicle and started the engine. Again, he was required to undergo a roadside breath test, which he failed. He was arrested and charged with driving with 142mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system – more than four times the legal limit once more. On this occasion, Banks was remanded in custody to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court the following day (Wednesday 1 April). He was sentenced to a total of 20 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for three years. He was also required to pay £85 costs and a £122 victim surcharge. PC Tom Van Der Wee, of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said: “We’ve seen a dramatic reduction in the number of vehicles on our roads since these social distancing measures were introduced. But while the volume of traffic may have changed in recent weeks, the law hasn’t – it remains an extremely serious offence to get behind the wheel when over the limit for drink or drugs. “Drink and drug-driving destroys lives, and it’s more important now than ever – when hospitals are already stretched to their limits – that people take responsibility and do not increase the burden on the NHS. “Key workers are doing a fantastic job across the country, and we can all play our part in helping them to help save lives.”

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