By James Simons-
A Man who has 6 convictions and has been jailed twice for drink driving was nearly three times over the limit when he was caught this time.
This was Neale’s sixth conviction for alcohol- he has had other none jail convictions.
This time, the 48 -year old from St Anne’s Close, Beccles, was told he was at real risk of being jailed again after he changed his plea to guilty on the day his trial was due to begin at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court three weeks ago.
He received a suspended sentence this time despite his repeat offence. His solicitor told the court Neale has had an alcohol problem for 30 years and had used alcohol anonymous to help battle his addiction successfully for na brief period. ‘’He fell of the wagon’’ when he thought he was cured and stopped getting help- Mrs Threadkell, his solicitor argued in mitigation for him.
After reading a pre-sentence report by the probation service, magistrates told Neale they were not sending him to custody immediately.
Instead, a six-month prison term, suspended for 18 months, and disqualified from driving for four years. £1,200 in prosecution costs and 3115 to the victims’ fund was also imposed as court fines.
Neale was also mandated to attend a 40-day rehabilitation requirement and a 12-month alcohol treatment programme.
Sitting In Car Drunk
Neale was found sitting drunk in his Renault Scenic with the engine running last May, prompting a member of the public to call the police.
A breath test showed he had 96 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, beyond the legal limit of 35mcgs.
In addition to admitting drink-driving, Neale also pleaded guilty to possessing a Class C drug – diazepam – which had not been prescribed to him. He had them as he suffers from anxiety and depression.
During his earlier hearing it was said that after his arrest Neale had again sought help for his alcoholism.
Long Record Of Alcohol
Neale’s first drink-drive conviction is understood to have been in 1989. This was followed by two further convictions in 1998 – for which he received three months in jail for the latter.
He was jailed for four months after his fourth conviction in 2004. His fifth conviction was in June 2012 when he received a three-year ban.
Following yesterday’s sentencing Inspector David Giles, of Suffolk’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “I believe Mr Neale to be the most prolific drink-driver we have had convicted in Suffolk.
“I hope he does get the help and treatment he needs.
“Alcohol problems or not, there’s no excuse for getting behind the wheel. Hopefully this sentence sends out a strong message to people thinking of drinking and driving.”