Dunmow drink driver caught in Colchester is disqualified

Patrolling officers spotted Stephen Atkinson driving in Colchester after a member of the public tipped them off suggesting he was drunk on July 19.

Prosecutor Shefa Begum told Colchester Magistrates’ Court the informant had provided details of the driver and the vehicle, knowing he had been drinking in the Dunmow and Felsted area.

She explained: “During a mobile patrol, officers saw the vehicle turning into a car park and found Atkinson to be its sole driver.”

The court heard Atkinson, 52, smelt of alcohol and initially cooperated with the police, providing an initial roadside breath sample.

Breath test - Atkinson was taken to Colchester police station (Image: Newsquest)

The breathalyser showed he was more than three times over the legal limit with 110mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, despite the legal limit being 35mcg.

“He was then arrested and taken to Colchester police station, however he refused to provide two further breath samples,” continued Ms Begum.

“He instead asked on two occasions for legal representation before being breathalysed.”

Atkinson, a self-employed window cleaner of Normansfield, Dunmow, admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis when he appeared at court on Tuesday.

The probation officer assisting the defendant told the court he lives with his parents, who are in their eighties, in order to care for them.

“His mum recently had a stroke and his dad is partially-sighted,” the officer said. “He drinks to alleviate stress.

Incident - Atkinson was caught in Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

“He had been in a club in Dunmow and had three pints and then drove after that with very little thought to the consequences.

“He was having a panic attack and didn’t want to provide anymore samples until he’d spoken with his solicitor.”

Atkinson was disqualified from driving for 28 months and ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation sessions. He must also pay £319 in costs and a surcharge.

Chairman of the bench Samuel Harrison warned Atkinson that magistrates “really did toy with the idea of sending you to prison”, urging him to see their act of mercy as a wake-up call.