Leeds drink driver who ended up in ditch didn't think for 'one second' he was over the limit

An apprentice electrician who drove into a ditch in Leeds in the early hours of New Year's Day told a court he did not think for "one second" he was over  the drink drive limit.
Long Lane Barwick in Elmet.
Image: GoogleLong Lane Barwick in Elmet.
Image: Google
Long Lane Barwick in Elmet. Image: Google

Brandon Grainge was just under twice over the legal drink drive limit when he drove a Ford Fiesta into a ditch on Long Lane at Barwick in Elmet, Leeds Magistrates' Court heard.

Prosecutor, Mahmood Awan said police were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Long Lane just before 2.20am on January 1.

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Mr Awan said Grainge, who has no previous convictions, was with a friend who is believed to have been a passenger in the car.

The court heard Grainge, had 65 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol.

Grainge, of Carrfield Road, Barwick in Elmet, Leeds, admitted drink driving.

Grainge, who was not legally represented, told the court: "I merely slipped off the road rather than driving off the road at high speed.

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"There was no damage to the car. Not for one second did I think I was over the limit."

Lead magistrate Amarjit Mann banned Grainge from driving for 18-months and handed him a £450 fine plus £130 costs and surcharge.