Wiltshire Driver Banned for Four Years After Drug-Fuelled Court Drama
Philip Riley, 40, from Chirton, faces a four-year driving ban thanks to a crackdown by Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit.
Stumbled from Car and Failed Drug Test
On October 21, 2021, officers spotted Riley on the A361 near Devizes, stumbling unsteadily as he got out of his car, clearly under the influence. He flunked a roadside drug wipe test, revealing illegal substances in his system.
Wasted Court Dates Land Him in Custody
Riley was summoned to Salisbury Magistrates’ Court but skipped his hearing on March 18, 2022. Police tracked him down and arrested him in April. Not learning his lesson, he missed court again on December 22. This time, officers swooped on Christmas Eve to re-arrest him. Riley was promptly remanded in custody to stop any more no-shows.
Four-Year Ban and Tough Words from Police
At a hearing on December 26, Riley was slapped with a four-year driving disqualification. PC Luke Hobbs said:
“This is an excellent ban and will ensure that Riley is off the roads for years to come. He failed to attend court twice and a warrant for his arrest was successfully executed on Christmas Eve. He was then remanded in custody to ensure he couldn’t skip court for a third time. We will stop at nothing to ensure drink and drug drivers are caught and brought to justice.”
