Drink-driver jailed after taking van to drive injured person to A&E

Ramsey man was three times over the drink-drive limit

A Ramsey man has been jailed for 36 weeks after driving an injured person to hospital in a van that wasn't his while three times over the drink drive limit.

Jason Liam Christian of Bircham Avenue Close was sentenced after pleading guilty to four charges following the incident in July.

Christian was in Star Grill in Ramsey in the early hours of 11 July when another individual in the take away sustained a hand injury.

The 30-year-old drove the injured person to A&E shortly after 3am, but when he arrived staff at Noble's suspected he was intoxicated and contacted the police.

Officers arrived to find an SCS van parked outside the emergency department, and when they stopped Christian a short distance away they noted he had glazed eyes and could smell intoxicants.

After he failed a roadside breath test, he was taken to Police Headquarters to give a further sample which gave a reading of 105 - the legal limit is 35.

As well as admitting a charge of driving with excess alcohol, Christian also pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without consent, driving whilst disqualified and having no insurance.

During sentencing, magistrates heard the van had been taken from outside an address in Ramsey, with the keys having been left in the vehicle.

Christian's defence advocate stated there was no evidence of poor driving and there was no damage to the vehicle as a result of the incident.

Peter Taylor told the court his client is working to address his issues with alcohol, and urged magistrates to give Christian one final chance.

However, magistrates described the offences as 'incredibly serious', and having considered all alternatives came to the conclusion that a custodial sentence was the only option.

Christian was handed three 12-week sentences and no penalty for the insurance charge. He'll also be banned from driving for five years and will have to take an extended driving test and complete an educational course before he can reapply for his licence.