A Sheffield drink-driver's ban from the road will leave him unemployed

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard on July 14 how motorist Daniel Mahon, aged 28, of Hemper Lane, Greenhill, was caught drink-driving after he had been seen by police on Ecclesall Road, Sheffield.

Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, said: “Officers saw him travelling past them in his motor vehicle and they were concerned he might be driving over the speed limit.”

Ms Lowery-Green added that Mahon stopped on Newington Road, near Hunter’s Bar, Sheffield, on March 7, in his Volkswagen Caddy and the defendant admitted he had been drinking.

Mahon, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit after registering 60 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Paul Metcalfe, defending, said Mahon had been at a friend’s home on nearby Everton Road and after visiting a closed shop to buy tonic water he decided to drive to another shop half-a-mile away.

Mahon is a self-employed heating engineer who needs to drive to customers’ homes but a driving disqualification will leave him unemployed, according to Mr Metcalfe.

Mr Metcalfe added: “It’s extremely disappointing for him because the consequences of him losing his licence far outweigh the punishment the court will hand out.”

Magistrates fined Mahon £250 and ordered him to pay £85 costs, and a £34 victim surcharge.

Mahon was also disqualified from driving for 17 months but this ban can be reduced by 17 weeks if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.