Man who lives in his car caught drink-driving 'at speed' down Central Motorway

James Anderton had gone drinking with a friend before heading back to his car, which doubles up as his home, on April 14 this year. But his friend "persuaded" him to give him a lift later that night - and it wasn't long before the police pulled them over after seeing the 37-year-old driving fast down the A167.

When Anderton was breath tested by officers, he gave a reading of 63 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 and he was arrested.

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This week, Anderton, of no fixed address, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court facing a charge of drink-driving. He pleaded guilty to the offence.

The court heard that police were on duty on the Central Motorway in the early hours of the morning when their attention was drawn to Anderton's Ford Focus. Brian Payne, prosecuting, said: "The Ford Focus was driving at some speed, and the way it was being driven caused concern."

When officers pulled Anderton over it was "plain he had been drinking". He then went on to provide a positive breath test after admitting "straight away" he had been drinking. The court was told he had a previous conviction for drink-driving in 2021.

Andrew O'Hanlon, defending Anderton, who is a factory worker, said: "He had went for beers with a friend and had parked his car on private land. He has been living in his car on the private land.

"Unfortunately, a friend of his knocked on the window and persuaded him to do some driving for an emergency. He didn't feel he could turn his friend down. Another passenger was in the car." Mr O'Hanlon added that the offence was committed due to Anderton's "inability to say no".

Anderton was fined £507 and banned from driving for three years. He must also pay a £203 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

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