A Night's Kip Fails To Beat Drink-Drive Rap

An air conditioning engineer’s career is in tatters after police caught him over the limit while driving to work at 8 am, following a heavy-drinking session the night before, a court heard.

Danny Ismail, 29, of Chaplin House, Sidcup High Street, Sidcup, Kent, made the mistake of believing a night’s sleep would completely sober him up and was hit with a three-year road ban.

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to driving his Ford Fiesta in King William Street (pictured), Monument, on January 23 with excess alcohol in his breath.

The court heard police stopped Ismail on a Saturday morning and after failing a roadside breath-test he was arrested and gave a reading of 58 microgrammes – the legal limit is 35.

“It is a devastating day for Mr. Ismail, but he is the author of his own misfortune,” said Miss Sian Williams, defending.

“He had been out drinking the night before and it had been a heavy session, but after a night’s sleep he thought that would solve all matters.

“With the equipment he carriers around it is a prerequisite he should drive,” added the lawyer. “He is so devastated by this.”

Ismail, who was convicted of drink-driving in July 2004, shares his part buy, part rent home with his girlfriend and two-year old child.

He was also fined £400, with £90 costs.