There was dispute between the defence and the prosecution over the admissibility of evidence, with Cardinho’s advocate, Amy Davies, saying there were unsubstantiated claims that several people had witnessed the accident, even though police had been unable to gather any witnesses including the person who made the initial report.  

Despite the discrepancy, Cardinho insisted that the sentencing hearing proceeded.  

Prosecuting Advocate Sarah Watson told the Magistrate’s Court that police were notified of the motorbike accident, involving a man who appeared and smelt drunk, and officers were dispatched to the Rohais but no-one was there upon arrival.  

Cardinho was later spotted by police driving towards St Julian’s Avenue and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. 

Pictured: Guernsey Police were alerted to an accident on the Rohais.

Advocate Davies, defending, admitted that her client had taken an “extremely poor decision” to drive that day and was sorry. 

She said he finished work early and consumed alcohol with dinner but decided to drop off a key to a relative by using a motor vehicle. 

The lack of insurance was a simple oversight, she added. 

It was noted no-one was injured, including Cardinho.  

Judge Gary Perry, sentencing, gave credit for his guilty pleas but noted Cardinho was dangerously close to the 110mcg limit which comes with immediate custody. 

Nevertheless, he said the drink driving was “seriously aggravated” by the lack of insurance and the fact he had fallen off his motorbike.  

He was not persuaded to suspend any sentence, and instead sent Cardinho to Les Nicolles for 4 weeks for driving under the influence, and a week for the lack of insurance, to run concurrently. 

Cardinho was also disqualified from driving for four years.