Lockdown-hit plumber forced on to benefits after drink-driving ban in Mansfield
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Mansfield Magistrates’ Court heard police stopped Matthew Plimmer on Church Street, on October 30, just after 4am.
Andrew Conboy, prosecuting, said a test revealed Plimmer had 78 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35mcg.
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Hide AdPlimmer, aged 34, of New Road, Oxton, admitted driving with excess alcohol.
Simon Walton, mitigating, said Plimmer had been ‘commiserating’ with a friend about the impact of the lockdown, which ‘caused him to lose his house and caused the breakdown of his marriage’.
Mr Walton said: “He got up thinking he was sober enough to drive and he wasn’t.
“It’s fair to say Plimmer’s life has been rather difficult over the last 18 months. Covid has put a lot of pressure on people.
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Hide Ad“He was a self-employed plumber. He's not going to be after today. He will now have to claim Universal Credit.
“It's a shame really, because only three days ago he was able to pick up a contract in Coventry – which he now won't be able to travel to.
“It's going to hit him hard.”
Plimmer was banned from driving for 20 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay a £34 surcharge and £85 costs.
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