Spennymoor drink driver caught double the legal limit

Cameron Doidge was driving his black BMW on the A167 near Aycliffe on November 25 last year when police pulled him over. 

The 27-year-old failed the roadside breath test and was taken to a police station where he blew 84mg per 100ml of breath, more than double the legal limit of 35. 

Doidge initially denied driving above the alcohol limit but changed his plea to guilty at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Friday (May 15).

Liz McGowan, prosecuting, said police spotted the vehicle around 6.50pm driving in an “aggressive manner”.

“He is stopped and fails the roadside breath test”, she said. “He goes to a police station and breathes a lowest reading of 84mg.”

The court heard how Doidge, who works for train manufacturer Hitachi, has no previous convictions and had no points on his licence. 

Representing himself, he told Deputy District Judge Richard Jepson: “I can’t really put it into words. I didn’t think I was as drunk as I was. I had had a few drinks.

“I didn’t intend for it to be so severe.” 

Doidge, of Weardale Street in Spennymoor, said a driving ban would "severely" impact him as there are “no buses to get to work whatsoever" at the time he travels. 

Judge Jepson said it is “always a shame when someone comes before the court with no previous convictions”. 

He said: “It is clearly a shame because from the sounds of things you seem to be the sort of person not to be before the courts. 

“I accept that a driving ban will make things more difficult for you but I have to. You are banned from driving, I have got no choice about that.”

Doidge was banned from driving for 20 months and was fined £400.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of £300 alongside a victim surcharge of £160.