A drink-driving pensioner has been banned from the road for the eighth time.

Police officers stopped 75-year-old Harry Brown’s car after seeing him driving erratically.

Brown had been banned from driving on seven previous occasions, racking up 23 years worth of driving bans.

On the latest occasion, officers spotted brown in Ledsham Close, St Leonards, on December 1. He was arrested and breathalysed after telling officers he had been drinking.

Officers also found a small amount of cannabis in his possession.

He appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on December 1 and admitted driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and possession of cannabis .

He has been convicted of drink driving on five previous occasions as well as another five counts of driving whilst disqualified – earning him seven bans worth a total of 23 years off the road.

His eighth ban prohibits him from driving for another five years. He was also given a 12-week suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £215 in fines and court costs.

Superintendent Jane Derrick, the head of roads policing in Sussex and Surrey, said: "These cases are examples of how some people consider themselves to be above the law when it comes to the roads.

"Brown had been banned for drink-driving previously so had faced the courts before but despite this and all our warnings about road safety he drank and then got behind the wheel again.

"Drink-driving is totally unacceptable and we will continue to target those who drive after drinking or taking drugs but we need the public's help.

"If you know or suspect someone is drink-driving call us immediately so we can take action. We need to get offenders off the roads before they kill or seriously injure people.

"We will also look to arrest anyone who is driving without a licence or without insurance. We check the details of any driver and vehicle we find but if you know someone is driving illegally, please tell us so we can stop them."

A total of 38 people have so far been convicted of offences as part of Sussex Police’s December 2014 campaign.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving. If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs call 999.

 

Harry Brown’s driving bans 

  • Drink-driving - January 1998 – 18 months 
  • Drink-driving - August 2002 – 4 years 
  • Drink-driving and driving while disqualified - April 2003 – 4 years 
  • Drink-driving and driving while disqualified - November 2004 – 4 years
  • Drink-driving and driving while disqualified (x2) - November 2006 – 7 years 
  • Driving while disqualified - May 2011 – 12 months
  • Driving while disqualified - January 2013 – 18 months