"I never thought it would be me"

Wednesday 29 April 2020

A man in Guernsey who went to prison last year for drink driving has opened up about his experience, after police confirmed six arrests have been made for the offence in the last month alone.

One of those people was four times over the alcohol limit.

"Prior to August 2019, I was a hard working, self employed man contracted out to other businesses working throughout Guernsey," the former offender explained. "I was a friendly, relaxed person with an easy going approach.

"I had my own personal issues with work and relationships and one night in August I agreed to meet someone in St Peter Port and have a few drinks. I drove, with the intention that I would park up and leave my car in Town.

"Unfortunately, the evening didn't end as I had planned and I was feeling a little let down, a little lonely and feeling sorry for myself. I couldn't get a lift but, having had a few drinks, something came over me. I felt brave. I genuinely believed I was okay to drive!"

Pictured: The man had gone out for a drink in Town when he decided to drive home.

The man got in his car to drive home but, after less than half a mile, changed his mind and pulled over. He was about to get out when the police arrived.

"The moment I saw the police I realised my life, as it was, was over," he said. "I was breathalysed and blew four times the legal limit. I was arrested and taken to the police station, where I had to provide my details before being placed in a cell until I sobered up. It seemed like a very long time in that cell."

Having been charged, the drink driver was ordered to appear in the island's Magistrate's Court.

"I wasn't really aware of the seriousness of the matter until my advocate advised me that prison was a very possible and likely outcome," he continued. "I had never been to prison in my life!"

The matter was adjourned pending reports and the man appeared at a later date for sentencing.

"It was a scary moment waiting for the decision to be made that would affect my life," he said. "I was open and honest about myself, my mistakes and my personal circumstances but, because of the reading I gave when the drink drive test was carried out, there was no option but to send me to prison. It was expected but it was a shock.

"I went from court to prison without saying goodbye to my family, which was really hard.

Pictured: The man was sentenced in the Magistrate's Court.

"When I arrived at prison I walked out of the van, which had no windows. I walked in through a door into the reception area. I was scared, I knew no one and the routine of my life had gone. I had to remove all my life's belonging, leaving me with nothing but a long wait before being taken to my cell."

The man spent four weeks in prison, giving him time to think about what he had done, and came out with a "more positive mindset".

"In addition to prison I lost my driving licence for four years," he explained. "Now I have to use a bus or bicycle to get around. As you can imagine, this makes my life difficult as I have to rely on others to move my tools around.

"My social life is restricted being limited to an area close to me. I can't pick my children up from school, I can't drop them off at football and I can't spend as much time with them as I would like. I miss those things that dads should do."

The drink driver's sentence has also had an impact on his work. He believes his "mistake" has cost him about £20,000 in lost earnings.

"So I learnt a lesson," he continued. "When I got out of the police van and went into the prison, the door shut and on it was that sign; 'DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE'. I had read that sign so many times before but I had never thought it would be me!

"My advice to others is simple. A 15 minute walk home or a four year sentence? I could have killed someone all for the sake of a taxi ride. Is it worth it?

"Even today I am still dealing with issues from my mistake. I am not through it yet and there is still a lot to do."