Drink drive by owner of Stump Cross Caverns
BREWER Richard Bowerman spent part of his working day ensuring his product was in the right condition to be sold and was then ''horrified'' to be arrested for drink-driving as he drove two of his three children home from a swimming session.
Bowerman, who owns Stump Cross Caverns, the tourist attraction in the Yorkshire Dales, and is a partner in the Richmond Brewing Company, based at the North Yorkshire market town's former railway complex, pleaded guilty to driving with almost twice the permitted level of alcohol when he appeared before magistrates in Harrogate on Tuesday.
The court heard how a police patrol had seen 43-year-old Bowerman's silver Subaru Legacy with some of its lights out as it headed along the A59 Harrogate-Skipton road at Fewston at 8pm on March 2.
Prosecutor Sam Rogers said the car was also travelling at speed and wandering into the opposite carriageway.
Beer up to standard
Tests showed Bowerman's breath alcohol level was 67 micrograms compared with the limit of 35.
In mitigation Andrew Tinning said Bowerman, of Stump Cross Cottage, Greenhow Hill, near Pateley Bridge, had worked in the brewing industry for 18 years and had become a partner in the micro-brewery in Richmond in 2007.
At work on the day of his arrest Bowerman had been making sure beer was up to standard. He had been drinking small measures before the beer went into casks, not appreciating how much he had drunk.
Mr Tinning said Bowerman had been horrified to learn he was over the limit after picking up his children from swimming.
Bowerman was fined 250 with 85 costs, a 15 victim surcharge and an 18-month driving ban.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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