A DORCHESTER man who suffers from memory loss due to long-term alcohol abuse pleaded guilty to drink driving after having listened to his police interview, a court heard.
Weymouth Magistrates Court was told that Stephen Moss, of London Road, got behind the wheel of his silver Peugeot 206 and crashed into a ditch on Bailey Ridge Road near Sherborne.
READ MORE: Weymouth man denies his dog was dangerous and out of control in Piddlehinton
The court heard the offence happened on November 26, 2019, but due to memory loss - caused by alcohol abuse - Moss denied the offence because he could not remember driving that day or being interviewed by police.
However, after listening to his police interview, Moss pleaded guilty to driving when his alcohol level was above the legal limit.
Prosecutor Siobhan Oxley told Weymouth Magistrates Court the 51-year-old crashed his car and was found on the other side of the road by officers in a 'drunken state', which led to his arrest.
She said: "His car was found lying in a ditch on Bailey Ridge Road with the rear of the car in the air.
"Officers found him sat on the other side of the road, opposite his car, and he was in a drunken state."
Moss was breathalysed at the police station and gave a reading over the legal limit with an alcohol level of 44 microgrammes per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcg.
READ MORE: Kebab shop owner left shocked by alleged attack outside premises
Mitigating, Harry Smith-Price, said: "The reason why this case has taken so long to hear at court since the incident in November 2019 is because a report was needed before he could stand trial.
"The report concerned his memory loss and lack of cognitive functions, which is due to long-term abuse of alcohol.
"He did not remember driving on that day or being arrested. Because of his memory loss, he pleaded not guilty to the offence, but after he listened to his police interview he has since changed his plea to guilty.
"At the time of the offence the defendant was drinking two bottles of wine per day. He has now cut that down to one drink per couple of days.
"He now fully accepts responsibility of his actions and the consequences."
Moss was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
He must pay a £120 fine, £85 court costs and £32 victim surcharge.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel