Drink driver asks judge to lift ban after landing lead role in BBC TV series

David Staton Perkins, formerly of Dronfield and now living in Marsh Lane near Eckington, said he would be appearing in the The Gallows Pole - directed by Shane Meadows who made the multi-award-winning This is England.

Filming begins in September and Perkins hoped to have his driving ban lifted to avoid paying a driver to get him to and from shoots.

The 35-year-old said since his conviction in 2019 he had "turned his life around" with the help of a life coach and had started his own car mechanic business.

However – despite being impressed with Perkins’ efforts – Judge Jonathan Taaffe denied the soon-to-be actor's application to have the ban lifted.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court heard Perkins was disqualified from driving for three years following his second drink or drug-driving conviction in April 2019.

This week he appeared in court to apply for it to be cut short.

Addressing the judge, Perkins said: "I feel really proud of myself to have landed a role in a Shane Meadows BBC drama which starts filming in September.

"It’s called The Gallows Pole and without my licence I will have to pay someone to take me to filming when it begins in September."

Judge Taaffe asked: "What role will you be playing?"

Perkins, of Ridge Road, Marsh Lane, replied: "A leading role."

The defendant also told Judge Taaffe there were “no excuses” for what he had done – adding: “I made two massive mistakes - I had been drinking and taking cocaine.

"I massively regret what I did but since then I have more than turned my life around.

"I have taken on a life coach, only have the occasional drink and have stopped taking drugs.

"I have started my own business as a car mechanic and the ban makes it difficult to road test vehicles and so I rely on my father to do that for me."

After considering the application the judge told Perkins, formerly of Wreakes Lane, Dronfield: "I am pleased you have turned your life around and you are to be congratulated for that.

"It is also commendable that you have realised the error of your ways but I regret to say I take the view the ban should not be lifted.

"Unless there are truly exceptional circumstances as a matter of public policy the three years should be done in full.

"The message has to be sent out that if you drink-drive or drug-drive on more than one occasion the mandatory disqualification will be three years."

Shane Meadows - who shot to fame with films such as This is England, Dead Man's Shoes and once Upon a Time in the Midlands - is to make his first ever drama for the BBC with a series adaptation of Benjamin Myers’ historical novel The Gallows Pole.

The series will be based on the 2017 novel of the same name - which fictionalises the true story of 18th century ironworker David Hartley and the Cragg Vale Coiners.