THE FORMER leader of Worcestershire County Council has been banned from driving for 16 months after getting behind the wheel while one and half times over the drink drive limit.
Cheltenham Magistrates Court heard Coun Adrian Hardman had 58mcg of alcohol in 100millilitres of breath when he was breathalysed after being stopped on Bredon Road, Tewkesbury at 7.45pm on December 22 last year.
After failing a roadside test, the 59-year-old was taken to a local police station where he recorded the reading.
Defence solicitor Matthew Harbinson said the former leader was a man of good character and had never been arrested in his life.
He described Coun Hardman’s actions as an ‘error of judgement’ and said the former leader had gone to the pub following a day at County Hall.
While there he made a ‘miscalculation’ regarding the amount of alcohol consumed before he got behind the wheel, Mr Harbinson said.
The defence solicitor handed over letters of reference from Coun Hardman’s wife and also from the Dean of Worcester Cathedral.
“He wishes to continue in his work as a County Councillor but is unsure at this time how that will be viewed by his colleagues,” Mr Harbinson added.
District Judge Joti Boparai accepted Coun Hardman was a man of ‘good character’.
“It’s also regrettable that a man of your position will have to deal with the fall out from this incident which I suspect will continue for a while after today,” she said.
As well as disqualifying him from driving, she also fined Coun Hardman £350, and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £35 Victim Surcharge.
Should Coun Hardman complete a drink drive course by November 16, his ban will be reduced by four months and he will be eligible to take his driving test again in January 2017.
