Prison for banned Wigan driver found in car

Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court heard police officers on patrol noticed a silver Mini Cooper being driven in an “erratic” manner on Briar Road, Worsley Hall, at 2.30am last Tuesday.

James Gore, prosecuting, said it was driving too fast and nearly collided with another vehicle as it turned onto Alder Avenue.

Police followed the car and 32-year-old Christopher Brizell got out once it pulled over. There were two passengers in the car.

Brizell confirmed he had been driving and officers noticed he was slurring his words, the court heard.

Police checks revealed he was disqualified from driving and he was arrested.

Tests were carried out and the lowest reading showed he had 72mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath, over the legal limit of 35mcgs.

Brizell, of Sillitoe Drive, Wigan, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Chelsea Thomas, defending, said Brizell had drank between one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half pints before getting behind the wheel.

“He can’t really explain why he decided to give his neighbour a lift,” she said.

Magistrates heard he had 14 previous convictions for 25 offences.

He was convicted of driving while disqualified several times in 2017 and was jailed for 14 months for that and other related offences.

Ms Thomas said at the time he had a friend who was dying and he felt he could not say no when he asked for lifts to hospital.

She explained that Brizell has ADHD and mental health issues, and is currently the main carer for his partner.

She urged magistrates to consider not imposing an immediate custodial sentence.

But the bench said they viewed the offences “seriously” and sentenced Brizell to four months in prison because of his “appalling” record for driving while disqualified and with excess alcohol.

He was banned from driving for three years, from the date he is released from prison, and must pay a victim surcharge of £122.