Drink-driver 'could not wait minutes' for lift home

A man who drove four times over the limit has been branded "selfish" by police as he "could not wait two minutes" for a lift home.

Timothy Baker, 55, was sent home by his employer, who he worked for as a driver, on 24 April due to being drunk. Instead of waiting to be picked up, he drove home and police said a member of the public then saw his car "straddling" white lines on the A3102 near Westbrook.

Baker, of Wyke Road, Trowbridge, blew 137 micrograms of alcohol per millilitres of breath at the scene. The legal limit is 35.

During a hearing at Swindon Magistrates' Court earlier, he admitted failing to provide an evidential sample in custody and was disqualified from driving for three years.

Investigating officer PC Nicholas Dorey said Baker "showed a complete disregard for safety of others" through his actions.

"He turned up to work drunk, where he worked as a driver, and was sent home," she added.

"He then could have waited for his daughter who was coming to pick him up, but could not wait the two minutes and decided to drive a car home despite his state of intoxication."

As well as the driving ban, Baker was given a 12-month community order, 120 hours of unpaid work, 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and ordered to pay a fine and court costs of £199.

"I hope today's result shows what happens to those who are selfish enough to get behind the wheel after drinking," Dorey added.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.