Drunk Driver Tells Court: “I Really Need Help”
Having plead guilty to drunk driving in Magistrates Court this morning [Dec 23], 58-year-old David O’Brien was disqualified from driving for three years, and bailed to re-appear next month to complete sentencing.
Prosecution evidence was that on the evening of 19th December 2014, a police officer had noticed Mr O’Brien’s car on Kindley Field Road as it travelled towards the Causeway. Mr O’Brien’s car was swerving, as well as irregularly speeding up and slowing down, and his car was finally stopped in the Knapton Hill Road area.
After arrest and on being tested, the breathalyser reading showed over 300mgs of alcohol in 100ml of blood.
Mr O’Brien told the Magistrate: “I am addicted. I need help. I really need help. I have the shakes.” Mr O’Brien said that he’d been to Focus and other helping agencies and asked the Magistrate to help him deal with his drinking problem.
After confirming that Mr O’Brien was unemployed, the Magistrate noted that Mr O’Brien had just come back on the road in 2013 after a two year suspension following a previous drink driving conviction.
Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo ordered the three year disqualification, plus Social Inquiry and BARC reports, and required Mr O’Brien to return to Court in February to complete sentencing. Mr O’Brien was granted $2,000 bail.
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i am rather confused about this story… The police saw him driving recklessly by the airport and he didnt get stopped until Knapton Hill!?!?!?!?! That doesnt make sense to me… why have him on the road for a good 10 mins after spotting his poor driving?
We fine the guy, arrest the guy, kick him in the face when he’s already down.
He’s asking for help and I’m sure the government won’t do a thing other than send him to those useless meetings.
Not everyone works the same way in terms of overcoming addiction.
I do hope this guy can beat this, I know this struggle.
Those “useless meetings” (AA – I presume) as you put it – have saved a lot of people from an early death or killing or maiming other innocent road users!!!
Kindley Field…Knapton Hill?
U are responsible for your own stupidity lmao
Let me get this right, the police suspected he was intoxicated yet let him drive from Kindley Field Road to Knapton Hill. They have got to be kidding. What were they doing, waiting for him to kill himself or someone else! SMH
And I’m guessing this was along Harrington Sounds with all its twist and turns
Causeway – Knapton Hill?
What were ….never mind.
Maybe he was spotted by an off duty officer or a civilian and officers couldn’t catch up to him or until then.
Maybe the police were engaged in another matter and had to relocate resources.
Maybe we should hope this man finds the help he needs and avoids driving on our roads in the future when he is intoxicated.
He just got “caught” this time!! Unfortunately – on average most DUI drivers don’t get caught until they really screw-up!!
In my neck-of-the-woods – he might get 3/6 months in jail for being 4 times over the limit!! They don’t mess around in most US states – because too many innocent people are killed or maimed by these idiots!!
Some have to learn the “hard way” by being given a sharp lesson!!
The police should have been ticketed for letting him drive that far under the influence. What purpose did that serve? Makes absolutely no sense!
Are the cops “micing”??? Causeway to Knapton Hill – without being stopped!! How did he manage to negotiate ALL those bends on that S. shore Rd – being *3 times* over the limit!!
you know what i find ironic..? its the fact that he is now a criminal but the substance which he consumed is legal…i’ve always wondered how certain merchandise can be sold to you at inflated prices but yet its use could put you in trouble…smdh
oh by the way maybe somebody can answer this : what is the sole reason for consuming alcohol..? thanks.
Vito,
Hope and trust that you will finally get the help you need in the upcoming year.
Bless up.
if not for yourself…for others Mr. O’ Brian….the strength in from a place you have…in your heart…you just have to believe in yourself…change your habits,places of habits and haunts…dicover a new hobby or learn sailing,or fishing…of apply time to a charitable event…when you help others you gain self…imbibe less frequently…give it a rest…each time longer periods…Christmas is not an easy time unless you heed care …