Judge praises motorists who snatched drink driver's keys

A JUDGE has praised a man and woman who followed and thwarted a drink driver who veered across roads while three times the limit.
Preston Crown CourtPreston Crown Court
Preston Crown Court

The couple caught up to motorist Mark Walkden, 54, of Euston Road, Morecambe, and snatched his keys to prevent him driving further, after witnessing him weaving through roads in the resort.

At one point he ran a red light then slammed on in the middle of a junction, causing oncoming traffic to swerve around him, Preston Crown Court was told.

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Walkden, who was three times the legal limit, was jailed for a total of 45 weeks after Recorder of Preston Judge Mark Brown heard he was subject to a suspended sentence.

The new Recorder of Preston, Judge Mark BrownThe new Recorder of Preston, Judge Mark Brown
The new Recorder of Preston, Judge Mark Brown

Imposing a four year ban he said: “You were obviously very intoxicated and you took the decision to drive a motor vehicle. It was against the background you had already been to prison three years ago for a similar offence. It’s clear from the account of the two witnesses that your driving on March 12 was not just erratic, but was also quite dangerous. It was very fortunate that nobody was injured.

“The actions of the two witnesses are to be commended.”

Prosecuting, Kimberley Obrusik said he was spotted at 5pm on March 12 in a Citroen Picasso, making sharp turns at roundabouts, mounting a central reservation, driving over roundabouts and eventually getting stuck after mounting a kerb.