‘Out of balance’ drink driver shocked to be told he could be jailed over Shrewsbury incident

Ben Ashley, of Pound Lane, Hanwood, near Shrewsbury, pleaded guilty to drink driving in a Ford Fiesta in Deer Road, Shrewsbury, on August 31, 2024.

The prosecution told Telford Magistrates’ Court that Ashley was sometimes seen driving “all over the road”. Police detained him at 8:10 p.m. He failed a roadside test and at the police station recorded a breathalyzer reading of 130 when the limit is 35.

The court was told that Ashley, 39, was of good character but was emotional and abusive towards officers.

Deputy District Judge James Hulse told Ashley the starting point for sentencing was 12 weeks custody, which caught the defendant by surprise.

The judge told Ashley the reading was “off the scale”, being almost four times the limit.

He deferred sentencing and asked for a pre-sentence report to be carried out. He said he would consider all options open to the court.

Judge Hulse said he recognized that Ashley did not realize the seriousness of the offence. He suggested he consider getting legal advice.

“I can’t tell you to take legal advice, but it might be something you want to do.”

The judge handed down an interim driving ban and scheduled a sentencing hearing for Telford Magistrates’ Court on November 19.