A MOTORIST whose car collided with stationary traffic on the A69 near Brampton was more than twice the drink drive limit.

Graham Thomlinson, 43, already had a drink driving offence on his record when he committed the offence on October 14 near to the Brampton Bypass roundabout, Carlisle’s Rickergate court heard.

He admitted driving while over the prescribed limit.

He was driving a Ford Fiesta on eastbound carriageway when he failed to react to stationary traffic ahead of him, colliding with the rear of the nearest vehicle, the court heard. 

When police arrived, a roadside breath test provided a reading of 96mcg of alcohol in 100mls of breath, though a later evidential reading at the police station recorded 85mcg of alcohol.

The legal limit for driving is 35mcg.

“He accepted consuming alcohol before he drove,” said prosecutor George Shelley.

The court heard that the defendant, of Blackford, Carlisle, committed the same offence in 2010, when he was given a 12-month ban.

From the dock of the court, Thomlinson, who was not legally represented, told magistrates: “I just want to apologise. I am very, very lucky that I haven’t caused any more damage or hurt somebody.

“I am very grateful for that. It has given me time to reflect.” The defendant said he had now stopped drinking alcohol and had sought help for his alcohol issue.

“I am hoping that some good will come out of this,” he said.

Employed at a local food factory, he said the inevitable ban he now faces will not mean the loss of his job.

Magistrates imposed a £450 fine, with a £180 victim surcharge and £85 costs. They also imposed a  20-month driving ban, but offered the defendant a rehabilitation course which, if completed by a deadline, will reduce the ban by 20 weeks.