More than 100 arrested in drink-drive crackdown

More than a hundred people have been arrested by Sussex Police in the annual crackdown on drink and drug driving since the start of the month.

The force said that a total of 102 arrests had been made since the Christmas crackdown started on Tuesday 1 December. Of those, 50 have been charged. They include

Daniel Nicolaou, 23, a plumber, of Walmer Crescent, Bevendean, was arrested on the A23 at Bolney on Saturday 12 December. He was charged with having 54 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in his system. He is due to appear before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 6 January.

John Duignan, 40, unemployed, of Queen’s Park Road, Brighton, was arrested at Stanmer Park, Brighton, on Monday (14 December). He was charged with being in charge of a motor vehicle while having 111 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in his system – more than three times the 35-microgram limit. He is due to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday 4 January.

Paul Wright, 36, unemployed, of Preston Road, Brighton, was arrested in The Avenue, Bevendean, also on Monday. He was charged with having 77 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in his system – more than twice the drink-drive limit. He was also charged with driving without insurance, driving while disqualified and having heroin. He was remanded in custody and was due to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday 16 December).

Vincent Gould, 55, a car salesman, of Hornby Road, Bevendean, was arrested in Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, also on Monday. He was charged with having 88 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in his system. He is due to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 31 December.

Peter Hutchings, 28, a school caretaker, of Chandler’s Mead, in Cooksbridge, was arrested in Coldean Lane, Brighton, last Thursday (10 December). He was charged with having 69 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in his system. He is also due to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 31 December.

James Smoothy, 26, a British Transport Police officer based at Gatwick Airport, was arrested in Copthorne Common Road, Copthorne, at 2.30am on Tuesday (15 December). He was charged with having 98 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in his system – almost three times the legal limit.

He is due to appear before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Friday 8 January.

Sussex Police urged people to text officers on 65999 with the details of anyone they suspect of drink or drug driving or to visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.

The force added: “If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs, call 999.”