Banned drink-driver narrowly escaped jail after he committed a 'toxic mix of offences' at Ambergate

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on October 29 how Robert Bradford, 60, of The Chase, at Kilburn, Belper, had been caught by police drink-driving on the A6 at Ambergate while he was banned from driving.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said police received information about a possible drink-driver on the A6 at Ambergate and the defendant was stopped and gave a positive drink-drive reading at the roadside.”

Bradford registered 52 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath after the incident on October 15, when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

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He pleaded guilty to exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

The court heard that Bradford has previous convictions for driving while disqualified and drink-driving.

District Judge Andrew Davison warned Bradford he faced possible custody.

He said: “It’s a very toxic mix of offences.”

Bradford was sentenced to 24 weeks of custody suspended for 18 months with a Drink Impaired Drivers’ Programme and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was also further banned from driving for five years.

Bradford must also pay a £120 fine, a £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.