Drink driver turns up to court drunk

Retro · 15 Nov 2025

You couldn't make this up. It sounds totally like a cheap story plot line, but yet it's real.

The article is short, so I've quoted all of it.

A drink driver was rebuked by a magistrate after he turned up to court drunk.

Neil Horner, 40, was due to be sentenced for driving while nearly four times the drink drive limit on July 10 this year.

But his sentencing had to be adjourned because he attended court intoxicated.

Chair of the Magistrates’ Bench Jan Routledge said at the Isle of Wight magistrates’ court: “We don’t feel you understand what’s been going on here, because you’ve been drinking.

“I want to see you here at 9.30am on Dec 12. And sober.

“If you turn up drunk next time, you will be held in contempt of court.”

Horner previously admitted to driving a blue Mitsubishi in Shanklin, Isle of Wight, while almost four times the legal alcohol limit.

He blew 128 microgrammes in a breath test. The limit is 35.

Horner has also admitted assaulting two people by beating on the same day in July and was banned from entering a nursing home.