Recently our motoring team faced an enquiry from a client who was facing drink driving charges and being in control of a vehicle whilst intoxicated and faced a driving disqualification and punishable 10 points in his licence. This client contacted our experienced motoring solicitors to fight his driving bans as he needed his licence daily and as a part of his role as a farmer.
Our client was an independent farmer who owned and worked on a farm by himself for the last 25 years and required his licence for his role. Holding 3 points already, if charged guilty of the offence he would face a driving disqualification for at least six months which would have a detrimental impact on his financial stability.
As a part of his weekly routine, the farmer would travel to his regular pub on a Sunday evening for a couple of drinks. He would then book a taxi from the taxi rank across the road, which is what he did every week. This time, when he called a taxi, none were available. During this time, the farmer’s car alarm went off, and whilst trying to fix the issue, he fell asleep in his car. Concerned locals then called the police, deeming his behaviour suspicious and asking them to check on it. When the police attended the scene, the farmer was charged with being drunk in control of a vehicle, which he would face a driving ban for.
The concerned farmer then reached out for our solicitors’ help. Our solicitors started collating arguments to prove that the farmer had no intention to drive, which is a defence that could be proven on a balance of probabilities.
The farmer had witnesses who agreed to write a statement that the farmer would always take the taxi back to the house after visiting his local pub, our solicitors collated enough evidence to demonstrate that it was usual practice for the farmer to take a taxi home every Sunday. Our specialists managed to gather references from his parish church, the pub landlord and his clients, as well as character references to prove that drink driving is not something the farmer would do.
With evidence, witness reports, and character references gathered; our solicitors managed to satisfy the court that if he lost his licence he would have suffered exceptional hardship. The court accepted this, enabling the farmer to keep his licence and carry on with his daily farming duties.
Contact our solicitors now and defend your drink driving charges!
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