Dash cam footage from a police car captured Matthew Johnson’s lorry swerving in its lane and hitting a grass verge as he drove whilst over the limit along the A696
The A696 near Kirkwhelpington(Image: Google maps)
An HGV driver was spotted drinking cans of Dragon Soop at the wheel as he travelled along a busy Northumberland road. Matthew Johnson’s lorry was later caught on dash cam swerving in its lane and hitting a grass verge on the A696 in Kirkwhelpington.
A court heard that police were initially alerted to the 34-year-old by a concerned member of public, who had seen him drinking the caffeinated alcoholic drink, which between 7.5% and 8% proof, and witnessed him driving. Officers then followed him and, due to him swerving in the road, immediately pulled him over, prosecutors said.
Johnson, of Gardner Place, in North Shields, was arrested and later gave a reading of 69mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal limit is 35mcg. The lorry driver has now lost his licence and his job after he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol during a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court.
Ruth Forster, prosecuting, said a member of public called the police on the afternoon of March 9 this year. Mrs Forster added: “The member of public had been concerned as they had noted the defendant was drinking cans of Dragon Soop, which are around 7% proof.
“Because of this, officers attended the A696 at 16.41 and saw the defendant drive passed them. They turned their car around and followed the defendant’s vehicle. They followed it as it drove from Kirkwhelpington towards Capheaton and they intended to pull it over when they saw a safe place to stop.
“The officers then noticed the HGV failing to maintain lane discipline and it kept veering into the northbound carriageway and hitting the grass verge at 50mph. Given the manner of the driving, the officers deemed that it as necessary to pull the vehicle over immediately due to the safety risk it posed to members of public.”
The court heard that, after Johnson failed a roadside breath test, his lorry was searched and two empty cans of Dragon Soop and two empty cans of Stella Artois lager were discovered inside. Hannah Mostoufi, defending, said Johnson had no past convictions, had cooperated with the police and was extremely remorseful.
She added: “He was suffering from a significant decline in his mental health. He had been diagnosed with depression and had been prescribed medication. He was relying on alcohol as well. The two mixed together can have a very destabilising effect.
“He was also in debt, there were stresses in the family and there was an increasing reliance on alcohol.” The court heard that Johnson had now taken steps to address his issues and had not touched alcohol since his arrest.
Magistrates fined Johnson £200 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge. He was also banned from the roads for 20 months.
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