AN-82-YEAR-OLD pensioner who downed whisky before getting behind the wheel in a "moment of madness" has been banned from driving.
Michael Anthony Thorp, of Thorrington Road, Little Clacton, admitted at Colchester Magistrates' Court yesterday (December 8) to drinking a small glass, topped up with lemonade, at home before driving two miles in his Ford Ka.
He was disqualified for 14 months.
Prosecutor Ian Allen explained police were called to Telford Road, Little Clacton, at 4pm on November 21, following a call from an off-duty paramedic.
It was here he confessed to the paramedic he drank alcohol before the journey.
Mr Allen said: "He also confided to police that he had consumed a small whisky at his home in Little Clacton before travelling to Telford Road."
Police breathalysed Thorp at the scene and again at the police station where they found he had 58mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – nearly twice the legal limit.
Defending himself, Thorp told magistrates: "I have no idea why I did it, it was a moment of madness. I'm very sorry."
Chairman of the bench Bob Goodenough said: "You must not drive, you must not attempt to drive, until you have got your licence back, and if you were to do so, it's a very serious offence for one which you could possibly go to prison for."
Speaking to the Chronicle after the hearing, Thorp explained he only came to a stop because his car was filling with smoke.
"The car virtually blew up, there was smoke and steam everywhere," said the 82-year-old.
"The clutch blew out. I have never known one to blow out so quickly.
"One moment it was OK, I was going to the shops, and the next moment there was clouds of white dense smoke, so I drove as near to the kerb as I could because of the stream of traffic and that's when the ambulance arrived which I didn't really need."
Thorp was also ordered to pay a £150 fine, £20 surcharge and £85 court costs.
