A local man who blew over three times the drink drive limit on a roadside breath test has been fined £207 and disqualified from driving for three years.

Manuel Hernandez, 37, of Edinburgh Estate, pleaded guilty to a charge of Driving a Motor Vehicle with Alcohol Concentration above the Prescribed Limit and was sentenced at the Magistrates’ Court this morning.

The court heard that just after 10pm on Sunday 15 September, Response Team officers were sent to an incident at Bruno’s Bar. On arrival, officers spoke to Hernandez, who was visibly under the influence. After speaking with the officers, he stated he was going to walk home.

Shortly afterwards, as officers were leaving the area, they spotted Hernandez driving past them in a Honda CRV on Bayside Road. Officers put their blue lights on and stopped his vehicle just outside Glacis Kiosk. 

He then blew 129ug on the roadside breath test – the legal limit is 35ug. Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of Driving a Motor Vehicle with Alcohol Concentration Above the Prescribed Limit and taken to New Mole House Police Station.

Later that night, he blew 81ug on the Evidential Breath Test Machine and was later charged for court.

If anyone has concerns about a person driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they can call the RGP in confidence on 200 72500 or 999 in emergencies – you could help save someone’s life.