Unwise driving decision following a night out costs Wigan teenager dear

The 18-year-old was tested and found to be more than double the drink-drive limit.

He produced a reading of 80 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath, when the legal level is 35.

The court heard Ashcroft, of Smethurst Road, Billinge, had driven into town to meet friends and intended to share a taxi home at the end of the night.

But over the course of the evening he became separated from his friends, lost his wallet and found his phone battery was dead.

He therefore made the unwise decision to go to his car which was parked nearby and make his way home by road.

Defending, Douglas Lloyd said: “I’m not instructed to make excuses, he made a stupid decision. This is his first time in court and he doesn’t intend to come back. He is not someone who would have imagined himself before the court.

“He should have taken different steps on that evening and should not have been driving but he felt abandoned by his friends, couldn’t contact anyone and made a stupid mistake. Losing his licence and having a criminal conviction have weighed heavily on his mind.”

The court heard being unable to drive will have a significant impact on Ashcroft as he is about to start an agricultural course at Myerscough College.

Mr Lloyd said Ashcroft was alone in the car and there was no suggestion he had been stopped by police on account of his driving.

The bench disqualified him from driving for 17 months, although Ashcroft accepted a drink-drivers’ rehabilitation course which will reduce the ban if he completes it.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.