Conservative candidate banned for drink driving

May 1 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

A CONSERVATIVE councillor apologised yesterday for a “stupid mistake” which led to him being caught drink driving while returning home from a charity fundraising event in the early hours.

David James Towns – a member of Castle Morpeth Borough Council in Northumberland – was twice the legal alcohol limit when his Range Rover was stopped by a police officer in Morpeth at about 3am.

He was driving home after a charity ball for the Northumbria Air Ambulance appeal in the town’s leisure centre when the officer saw his vehicle cross the central white line before returning to its correct side of the road.

Towns smelled of drink and a sample taken at a police station showed 75 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Yesterday Towns, 29, a solicitor, of Lightwater House, Mitford, near Morpeth, was banned from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay £558 in fines and costs by Bedlington magistrates after admitting driving with excess alcohol on April 20.

He was elected to represent the Stannington and Mitford ward on Castle Morpeth Council a year ago, and is the Conservative candidate for the Ulgham seat in today’s elections for Northumberland’s new unitary council.

After yesterday’s hearing Towns said: “I am very sorry for what I have done, it was a stupid mistake to make. There is never any excuse for drink driving and I believe I have been treated entirely fairly by the court.

“I have received many messages of support from fellow members, party activists and a number of my constituents, and they have convinced me that this incident will not in any way affect my ability to be an effective councillor.

“I am touched by their sentiment and support for me, and I am happy that I will prove them right.

“I hope other young people will treat my terrible experience as an example, to show them that if you make the choice to drive after drinking, in whatever circumstances, then you may face not only a lengthy driving ban and a hefty fine, but you will also have to cope with a tremendous feeling of guilt and shame.”

Edith Sanderson, prosecuting, told the court that Towns’s Range Rover was stopped on Dogger Bank, Morpeth, after the officer saw it cross the central white line in nearby Newgate Street.

Brian Hegarty, defending, said Towns had been drinking wine at the charity ball in Morpeth and had intended to spend the night at the home of a friend.

However, there was a shortage of beds and, as it was several hours since his last drink, he decided to drive the three miles back to his home.

“He offers his unreserved apologies because he acknowledges that driving after drinking is inexcusable.

“It was a stupid mistake and a misjudgment which will have significant ramifications for him,” said Mr Hegarty.