Drink-driving farmer abandoned car on Northumberland road because of fallen tree

Ian Howson was seen by a man working to clear the tree ‘staggering around’ as he got out hie Audi

A drink-driving farmer abandoned his car in the middle of a Northumberland road because it was being blocked by a fallen tree. Ian Howson was spotted by a man, who was working to clear the tree, travelling along a road in Ingoe, near Matfen, and coming to a stop.

A court heard the witness then watched as the 52-year-old got out his Audi, “staggered around” and then abandon it in the road. The police were called and Howson was tracked down still walking to his address at nearby at Beech Cottage, prosecutors said.

He initially appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court to plead not guilty to one count of driving with excess alcohol but later returned to the dock to change his plea. Prosecutor, Clare Haswell, said the witness was working on a fallen tree at around midnight on October 4 last year.

Miss Haswell added: “The defendant approached in his vehicle. He had to wait because of the fallen tree. The defendant got out his vehicle and was staggering around before abandoning his vehicle and walking off.

“The witness rang the police. The car was found and the defendant was located a short time later walking towards his home address. When speaking to the defendant, the officers could tell he was drunk.”

The court heard that Howson, who had one previous conviction on his record, later gave a reading of 64mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal limit is 35mcg. Magistrates were also told that Howson had suffered a “lapse in judgement” on the night in question and had abandoned his car because of a puncture and the fallen tree.

The court also heard that he worked as a famer and led an isolated life. Howson was fined £505 and ordered to pay £200 costs and a £202 victim surcharge. He was also banned from the roads for 18 months.

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