Norwich war vet, 88, caught drink driving

David BaleAn 88-year-old Second World War veteran has been fined and banned from driving after being more than double the legal drink-drive limitDavid Bale

An 88-year-old Second World War veteran has been fined and banned from driving after being more than double the legal drink-drive limit

John Nicolson, of Bates Green, near Marl Pit Lane, Norwich, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when he appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court yesterday.

His solicitor Chris Browne said that he had been driving for 70 years and had learned the skill in the army, and that, apart from receiving a fixed penalty speeding fine for travelling at 34mph in a 30mph limit a few years ago, he had a clean licence.

However, at about 9.15pm on March 8, the court heard that police were called to Dereham Road, in Norwich, after a member of the public reported that the defendant was driving erratically.

Prosecutor Judith Piggen said police spotted him driving the wrong way round a roundabout in Dereham Road.

She said: 'Police stopped him and took the keys out of the ignition. The defendant seemed confused and they could smell alcohol on his breath.

'A roadside breath test was carried out and he gave a reading of 78mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath whilst the legal limit is 35mcg.'

Mr Browne said his client served his country in the war and added: 'It was not his practice to drink or to drive. It was the second anniversary of the sudden death of his son-in-law and he had been with his daughter on the day. He had consumed alcohol and he made the fatal decision to drive.'

He was fined �400 plus a �15 victim surcharge and ordered to pay �85 costs. He was also banned from driving for 16 months, which could be reduced by four months if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

Because of his age he will also have to pass another driving test at the end of it, District Judge Philip Browning told him.