Brighton drink driver banned for four years

A 41-year-old man from Brighton has been banned from driving for four years and been given an eight-week suspended prison sentence.

Robin Neal, 41, of Marine Gate, Brighton, admitted drink driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance and assaulting a police officer.

When he appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court he was banned from the roads for four years, given a suspended sentence and made the subject of an 18-month supervision order and a four-month curfew. He was also ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.

Neal was arrested after a crash in Whitehawk Road, Brighton, which happened just before 8.30pm on Monday 9 December.

James Lowe, 19, of Friars Orchard, Leatherhead, also pleaded guilty to drink driving at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.

The teenage student was banned from driving for 17 months, fined £110 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Lowe was stopped by Sussex Police after being seen driving erratically in Elm Grove, Brighton, at 2.30am on New Year’s Day (Wednesday 1 January).