A drunk driver from the Isle of Wight who fell off his daughter’s e-scooter while driving the wrong way up Newport High Street and weaving through traffic has been disqualified.
Liam Saltzer, of no fixed address, appeared before Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Friday 23 August and pleaded guilty to drink driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.
Prosecutor Lauren Stone said the 37-year-old was riding an e-scooter in the wrong direction up Newport High Street shortly before 2pm on June 14.
Ms Stone told the court that Saltzer was on the pavement and in the road, weaving through traffic, before falling from his scooter outside The Castle Inn pub.
A police officer who happened to be in the area at the time rushed to Saltzer’s aid, recognized him and gave him a breathalyzer test, the court heard.
Saltzer tested positive for alcohol both at the roadside and at the Newport Police Station, and he had no insurance or driver’s license.
Ms Stone said Saltzer, who has 15 previous convictions for 19 offences, had been given two separate community sentences and had since been given a suspended sentence by the Crown Court.
Defence lawyer Jim Osborne said his client was riding home on his daughter’s e-scooter after drinking a pint.
The court learned that the e-scooter had since been crushed by the police.
Saltzer’s license was revoked due to epilepsy and he has no plans to drive again, Osborne told the judges.
Magistrates fined Saltzer £120 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.
Saltzer was also disqualified from driving for twelve months and his driving license was confiscated.
