Drink-driver who drove to Sheffield takeaway 'over problem with his order' was more than three times the legal limit

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard on July 14 how Paul Darwin, aged 59, of Manor Lane, near Sheffield Parkway, had driven while over the drink-drive limit to a Chinese takeaway because he had been having a problem with an order.

Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, said officers received a call about a potential drink-driver on March 27 and they were on Manor Lane, Sheffield, and saw Darwin parking outside an address while smelling of alcohol.

Darwin pleaded guilty to exceeding the drink-drive limit after he registered 117 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Arshaid Bashir, defending, said: “He was having problems ordering a Chinese takeaway and he was unsuccessful and he said it was a stupid thing to do driving there when it’s a short distance from where he resides.”

Mr Bashir added Darwin has been suffering with depression and anxiety following a heart attack, a diagnosis of anaemia and more recently a minor stroke.

The defendant, who is a medicine management technician at Sheffield’s Weston Park Hospital has expressed remorse, according to Mr Bashir, and he has been referred to an alcohol addiction clinic by his GP.

Magistrates fined Darwin £800 and he must pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Darwin was also disqualified from driving for 28 months but this ban can be reduced by 28 weeks if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.