A father of four has been fined after being found in charge of a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit, having been in his car after consuming “one beer”.
Police were called to Wellington Street, Walsall, at around 11pm on 23 June following reports of suspected drink-driving. Upon arrival, officers discovered Muhammad Asghar, aged 52, seated in the driver’s seat of a black Vauxhall Corsa with the keys in the ignition and the engine running.
Officers detected the smell of alcohol on Asghar, who initially claimed he had not been driving despite admitting to having one beer. A roadside breath test revealed he was over the legal limit, and a subsequent evidential breathalyser test conducted in custody measured 66 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, nearly double the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
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During the hearing at Dudley Magistrates’ Court on 30 July, Asghar pleaded guilty to being in charge of a motor vehicle while above the prescribed alcohol limit. Represented by defence solicitor Zafar Rashid, it was noted that this was Asghar’s first offence. Rashid advised that Asghar recognised the seriousness of his actions, describing it as a learning experience and acknowledging that he should not access a vehicle after consuming any alcohol.
The magistrate emphasised the potential dangers of Asghar’s actions, stating, “This could have resulted in a far worse situation than it actually is.” Acknowledging Asghar’s guilty plea at the first opportunity and clean record, the court imposed a fine of £76, along with a £30 surcharge and £85 in court costs. Furthermore, Asghar received 10 penalty points on his driving licence.
The magistrate issued a stern warning: “Before you step into a vehicle, do not drink – simple as that.”