Estate Agent Boss Caught Behind Wheel Of Aston Martin Over Three Times Drink Limit

The Aston Martin-driving director of a top firm of London estate agents was caught over three times the drink-drive limit after a midnight prang.

Christopher Simon, 36, boss of the Notting Hill office of Faron Sutaria told police he had been drinking that afternoon and again in the evening when officers stopped to check the incident.

Simon, who lives in a £1.0m apartment in Kensington Gardens Square, Lancaster Gate pleaded guilty to driving his 4.3 litre V8 Vantage in Prince of Wales Drive, Battersea on March 14 with excess alcohol in his breath.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard yesterday he had 124 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.

Prosecutor Miss Amanda McCabe told the court it was 12.10am when officers spotted the consequences of a slight coming together of two vehicles.

“Police on patrol saw a Mercedes taxi with its hazard lights on and the driver was talking to this defendant and suspected there may have been a collision, but there was no damage and nobody was injured.

“The vehicles were moved and when the defendant was asked for his driver's licence the officer noticed his eyes were glazed and he smelled of alcohol.

“He admitted he had a few beers that evening and some beers that lunchtime and failed he roadside breath-test.”

Simon's Lawyer Mr. Robin Falvey, a drink-drive expert, who has represented the rich and famous and won many notable cases told the court: “The first thing he said to me was: 'This is the most stupid thing I've ever done in my life.'

“He had some alcohol at lunchtime and again in the evening and had been out all night the night before and had not eaten since the day before because of pressure of business.

“He says he did not feel drunk and only moved the car because it was in a residents bay and he would have taken a taxi if he felt he was unable to drive.

“He has learned a powerful lesson and it may have consequences on his career.”

One of the requirements of Simon's contract is that he has a valid driver's licence.

“This could be seen as gross misconduct and he could lose his position as a director,” added Mr. Falvey.

“As for the incident the driver in front pulled up and there was a collision at 5mph.

“He is a person of good character and this is unlikely to ever happen again and he will accept a substantial disqualification for this.

“He is not someone effected by drink and is not a drinker in normal circumstances.

“He has cancelled all of his holidays in preparation that he may have to do community service.”

Simon was sentenced to 120 hours community service, with £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge. He was disqualified from driving for thirty months. 

He was told by the magistrate: "This was a very high reading and there are circumstances where people driving with this quantity of alcohol in their system go to prison."