A DRINK-DRIVER drove through a police cordon while forensic officers were examining the scene of a road accident.

Police had set up a cordon on the Loop Road in Whitehaven following a road traffic collision on May 14 and the road was in lockdown, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said police tape had been extended across the road to inform the public that the road had been closed. The officers had been told that they didn’t need to stand at the cordon at the time.

Police saw William Clarkson, 46, drive a Mitsubishi Warrior through the police tape. The officer pressed on the horn of his own vehicle but Clarkson “shot past without taking any notice”, before coming to a stop.

A forensic officer had a breathalyser already out when the police got to Clarkson. He was breathalysed and gave a reading of 61mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg.

He was taken to the police station, where the lower reading was 60mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The court heard that Clarkson “smelled strongly” of intoxicants and had a “complete disregard” for what was going on.

Ms Fee said the defendant had a previous conviction for drug-driving in November 2020.

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Clarkson, of Greenmoor Road, Egremont, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with alcohol level above the limit and using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance.

Mike Woolaghan, defending, said: “The defendant had been drinking earlier in the day, had gone to sleep, woken up and showered. He ended up in an argument with his partner and was going to spend the night with a friend. He felt he was ok to drive.

“From his point of view, there were no signs that showed the road was closed. It was very thin police tape – difficult to see at quarter to one in the morning. When he sees that, he brought his vehicle to a halt.

“The vehicle is registered to his nephew. His nephew may have missed one of the [insurance] payments.”

Passing sentence, District Judge John Temperley said there had been an “unacceptable” standard of driving, going through a police cordon.

Clarkson was banned from driving for three years, to be reduced by 36 weeks, if he completes the drink-driving rehabilitation course.

He was fined £250 and must pay £85 costs and a £100 victim surcharge.