Ex miner borrowed mate's car when drunk in Warsop

An ex miner borrowed his friend's car without permission after a night's drinking and was still over the limit when he clipped another car in Warsop the next morning.
Mansfield Magistrates CourtMansfield Magistrates Court
Mansfield Magistrates Court

Ian Homer, 53, of Fell Wilson Grove, Warsop, admitted drink driving without insurance and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

Ruth Snodin, prosecuting, said Homer was driving a Vauxhall Astra on Netherfield Lane, in Warsop, on the morning of July 9, without the owner’s permission.

An oncoming vehicle was forced to swerve, but Homer still clipped his car, smashing off the wing mirror. The driver of the vehicle followed Homer and watched him swerve across the road and clip a kerb.

“He got out of the car and spoke to the defendant, who smelled of alcohol,” said Ms Snodin. “He kept hold of the defendant until the police arrived.

“He said he didn’t realise he clipped the mirror because the radio was on loud.”

A breath test revealed Homer had 93 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Yvonne Wragg, mitigating, said: “He is very remorseful for his actions.”

She said Homer had been staying at a friend’s house because he had separated from his wife. He had been drinking for two nights in a row and took the decision to borrow his friend’s car and visit his wife.

She said Homer had worked in the pits until he was forced to retire through ill health in 2002. He suffered from angina, depression and anxiety.

Magistrates in Mansfield imposed a 9pm to 8am curfew for two months. Homer was banned for 24 months and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.

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