Motorists arrested during festive drink driving crackdown in Northamptonshire including man three times over the limit appear in court

On December 1, Northamptonshire Police launched its annual campaign against drink and drug driving, where by anyone caught caught driving over the legal limit over the Christmas and New Year will be publicly named on the force website, social media and this newspaper.

Between December 1 and January 2, officers joined colleagues from across England and Wales for the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s month-long Operation Limit, which saw 110 drivers arrested on the county’s roads during the campaign.

Now some of those arrested during the campaign have been through the court system and have been sentenced for their offences, or are awaiting trial.

Court results for those charged during December 1 – 4

• A 28-year-old woman from Northampton had her case adjourned after she appeared at the town’s magistrates’ court on Thursday December 18, charged with driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol level was above the limit. The woman entered a not guilty plea and released on unconditional bail until Wednesday February 18, when she will stand trial at the same court.
• A 32-year-old man from Corby, was disqualified from driving for 17 months and fined £644 after pleading guilty to driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol level was above the limit at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday December 18. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £258 victim surcharge. He was arrested driving a grey Volkswagen Tiguan car in Geddington Road, Corby, at about 2.35pm on Wednesday December 3, and charged after providing an evidential reading of 72 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35 micrograms.
• Jobi Mathai, aged 48, of Station Road, Burton Latimer, was remanded into custody after his case adjourned when he pleaded not guilty to driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol level was above the limit at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Friday December 5. Mathai also pleaded not guilty to driving a motor vehicle after refusal of grant/revocation of driving licence on account of disability and driving without third party insurance. He will return to the same court on Wednesday January 28, when he will stand trial.
• A 26-year-old man from Northampton, was disqualified from driving for 14 months and fined £123 after pleading guilty to driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol level was above the limit at the town’s magistrates’ court on Thursday December 18. He was arrested driving a black Peugeot 207 at the St James Retail Park in Towcester Road, Northampton, at about 3.30am on Thursday December 4, and charged after providing an evidential reading of 43 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The man was also ordered to complete a community order, a 15-day rehabilitation activity as well as pay £85 costs and £114 victim surcharge. However, he received no separate penalty after admitting driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.
• Emmanuelle Wilson, aged 51, of Bath Street, Rugby, was given a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months after pleading guilty to driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol level was above the limit at Northampton Magistrates’ Court Thursday December 18. Wilson was arrested driving a black BMW Series 1 car in Watling Road, Upper Stowe, at about 1am on Thursday December 4, and charged after providing an evidential reading of 111 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. He was also disqualified from driving for 48 months and ordered to complete a rehabilitation activity and a 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement as well as pay £85 court costs and £154 victim surcharge.
• Joshua Mason, aged 30, of Highthorpe, Southrey, Lincoln, had his case adjourned after he appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday December 18, charged with being in charge of a motor vehicle when the alcohol level was above the limit. He entered a not guilty plea and released on unconditional bail until Wednesday February 18, when he will stand trial at the same court.
• Northampton Magistrates’ Court issued an arrest warrant for 45-year-old Stuart Burrell, of Elkesley Road, Mansfield, after he failed to appear before the court on Monday, December 22. He was charged with driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol level was above the limit on Thursday December 4.

To report suspected drink or drug driving in confidence, call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency when life is in immediate danger, always call 999. Or for more information visit www.northants.police.uk/dontdrinkdrive.