Dersingham man who crashed while drink-driving twice disqualified for three and a half years

A drink-driver who caused two road accidents while drunk behind the wheel was disqualified for three and a half years.

Jonathan Wheeldon, 31, of Gelham Manor in Dersingham, appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he was sentenced for driving above the specified alcohol limit and driving without a full licence.

In a previous hearing, Wheeldon admitted both offences.

On May 4, Wheeldon had been driving a Renault Megan when he was involved in a crash with another vehicle on Wisbech Road in Walsoken.

Wheeldon fled the scene and then crashed into a fence panel before arriving at a pub.

Prosecutor Asif Akram said that the landlord of that pub called the police and said that Wheeldon’s car was damaged and he appeared to be drunk.

Officers arrived at the scene and a breath test was carried out which came back with a reading of 103mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg.

Wheeldon had a total of 37 offences to his name.

In mitigation, Alison Muir said that Wheeldon’s life has changed significantly since drink-driving, and that his girlfriend keeps him on the “straight and narrow”.

“A mental health treatment requirement will help. He says he will comply with the order,” said Ms Muir.

Magistrates gave Wheeldon a 24-month community order which entails completing an alcohol abstinence requirement for six months and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.

He was disqualified from driving for 42 months and ordered to pay a fine of £120 along with a £114 victim surcharge and £40 in court costs.