Ex-serviceman Shaun Watkinson in King’s Lynn court after drink-driving in Fincham
An ex-soldier who served in the first Gulf War and used alcohol to self-medicate his PTSD has been ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.
Shaun Watkinson, 56, of High Street in Fincham, was found slumped over the wheel of his car with a vodka bottle in the footwell of the vehicle on the A1122 on October 8.
He appeared before Lynn magistrates on Thursday to learn his fate for drink-driving, having pleaded guilty to the offence on October 9, when the case was adjourned for an all-options pre-sentence report.
Stephen Munton, prosecuting, said Watkinson was breathalysed after a concerned member of the public flagged down a police car because of a vehicle stopped in the middle of the road.
Officers found Watkinson slumped over the steering wheel and could smell alcohol. Watkinson was slurring his words and was unsteady on his feet.
A roadside breath test proved positive and a further test at the police station showed he had 129mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – more than three times the legal limit to drive of 35mcg.
Mr Munton said it was the second drink-driving offence for Watkinson since 2017, meaning he was facing a minimum disqualification of three years.
Sally Dale, mitigating, urged magistrates to consider the recommendations of the pre-sentence report, and explained Watkinson had been sober for three years prior to the incident.
She said on the date in question he was under severe stress as he was awaiting results from a hospital examination.
She said Watkinson had served during the first Gulf War and suffered PTSD as a result, and that had been compounded by having to deal with road crashes involving servicemen.
Miss Dale said he self-medicated through alcohol for his PTSD.
She said Watkinson has been sober again since the incident, and added that he had a supportive partner - although any driving ban would have an impact on her.
After considering the report, magistrates made Watkinson subject to an 18-month community order with a mental health requirement, ten rehabilitation activity days, and 80 hours of unpaid work.
He was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.