Newly qualified driver from Brancaster caught drink-driving after night out with friends

A night out with friends has cost a newly qualified driver his licence after an appearance in court.

Finley Conway, 18, of Mill Hill in Brancaster, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when he appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Prosecutor Asif Akram told the court that on January 19, in the early hours, Conway was driving his Volkswagen Polo on Burnham Road when he came off the main highway and crashed into a hedge.

The incident was reported to the police, who arrived at the scene to find Conway standing at the side of his car.

The defendant was asked by officers to provide a roadside breath reading, which he failed.

In evidential tests, he provided a reading of 84mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg.

Conway, who was of previous good character, was banned from driving for 18 months.

He will also pay a £120 fine, £48 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.

Magistrates offered him a drink-driving rehabilitation course which, if completed, will reduce his ban by 18 weeks.

In mitigation, duty solicitor George Sorrell said Conway is an “impeccable character” who works as an apprentice carpenter, and “for him, it was a frightening experience”.

He also said Conway was driving home in the middle of the night after being out with friends drinking in Wells, but “unfortunately a junction came up upon him suddenly, and the car skidded and he ended up in the hedge”.

Mr Sorrell said Conway is “really remorseful of the incident”.