Drink-driver banned for 28 months

An HGV driver has been disqualified from driving for more than two years following a collision in East Staffordshire while he was under the influence of alcohol. Keith Talbot, 62, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, was given a 28-month disqualification at Cannock Magistrates’ Court last month after pleading guilty to drink-driving.

The court heard how Talbot was driving a lorry on the A38 heading towards Branston in February this year. He collided with a stationary truck parked in a layby, causing a large amount of goods to be spilled over both carriages and requiring a big clean-up operation. Talbot provided a positive roadside breath test of 158 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath and was arrested at the scene. The legal limit is 35 micrograms. As part of his sentencing, Talbot was also ordered to pay court costs of £135 and a surcharge of £114, as well as to attend 20 days of rehabilitation, and carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

PC Martin Randle, who dealt with the case, said: “Talbot put other road users’ lives at risk while driving under the influence of alcohol. Our roads have no place for such dangerous and reckless behaviour. We are pleased Talbot will not be able to be behind the wheel of a vehicle again for a significant amount of time.”