Drunk Lorry Driver Crashes at Milford Haven Marina
Carl Hodson, 55, was caught red-handed trying to reverse his lorry tractor while its wheels spun uselessly in mid-air at Milford Haven marina, Pembrokeshire. The shocking scene unfolded around 11.40pm on November 18 last year.
Witness Sees Crash, Calls Police
A witness told Haverfordwest Magistrates Court that Hodson’s Scania cab smashed through a barrier and stopped with some wheels dangling above the ground. The witness saw Hodson partially fall out of the cab, then clamber back in and attempt to reverse – but the lorry’s wheels just spun wildly.
“He observed the driver partially fall out of the cab, then climb back into the lorry,” said prosecutor Mrs Sian Vaughan. “He saw the man start the lorry and try to reverse, but the wheels spun.”
Drunk Behind the Wheel
The witness called police, who found Hodson still in the cab. The lorry driver admitted he’d “had too much to drink.” Blood tests showed a staggering 175mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – more than double the UK legal limit of 80mg.
Magistrates Hand Down Fine and Ban
Hodson, a former Darwin resident of Whitchurch and professional lorry driver, pled guilty to driving under the influence. His defence lawyer told the court Hodson was under pressure from HMRC at the time and accepts his actions were “potentially extremely dangerous.” Hodson’s reckless stunt has caused shame and distress to his family.
Hodson plans to move to Latvia to live and work. He is already covering substantial costs for vehicle and dock repairs.
Magistrates fined him £475, slapped a £190 surcharge, and demanded £85 in prosecution costs – a grand total of £750. He also received a 22-month driving ban, which will be enforced in Latvia as well.
