Taxi driver who drove car into a ditch had drunk four pints of lagerA TAXI driver has lost his job after being caught drink-driving.
Simon Rockey, 46, of 35 Cross Street, Northam, was found to be more than twice the legal limit following an accident at Landcross.
He was banned from driving for 19 months after he pleaded guilty to the charge at North Devon Magistrates' Court on Friday.
Mark Haddow, for the prosecution, said police found the defendant's car, a blue Toyota MR2, in a hedge just outside the Sunset Hotel at about 12.20am on August 9.
Mr Haddow told the court: "He said he took the corner too fast and was lucky he didn't hit the wall.
"He said he had just got the car back after having the clutch done and then drove it in to a ditch."
He said he had drunk four pints of lager in a pub in Northam and decided to drive to a friend's house in Torrington.
He didn't think he was over the limit but he was at least twice the legal limit.
Rockey was found to have 73 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Paul Walters, for the defence, said a friend had invited him to his place at Stibb Cross after he had been out for a couple of drinks.
He was on his way when the accident happened.
Mr Walters said he did not leave the scene.
He added: "Ironically he is a taxi driver and will lose his employment. He takes drink-driving very seriously."
Mr Walters said Rockey used to take Mondays off work as he liked to go for a drink on Sundays but this was a different matter.
"He did not consider he was unfit to drive through drink otherwise he would not have done so.
"He has been driving for 30 years and been a taxi driver for two years. Prior to that he was security guard. He will lose his job."
As well as the driving ban, magistrates also fined him £180 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/Taxi- ... story.html
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