Drink driver caught above the alcohol limit just two days after being banned

Philip Dedman was handed a three-year driving ban on April 24 after police saw him unsteady on his feet in Ponteland during a journey to pick a child up from school.

The 50-year-old was breathalysed and recorded a reading of 60 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, which resulted in him being banned from the roads until 2024.

But last Monday (April 26), less than 48 hours after leaving court, Dedman was again spotted getting out of his Mercedes CLS220 in Great Park, near Gosforth.

He was again found to be nearly twice the legal limit of 35 micrograms and now could be jailed as a result of his irresponsible actions behind the wheel.

Dedman, of Roseden Way, Great Park, appeared before magistrates last Tuesday (April 27) where he admitted driving while above the legal alcohol limit, driving with no insurance and driving whilst disqualified.

He was bailed to appear before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on May 19.

Sergeant Glen Robson, of Northumbria Police’s Operation Dragoon team, said: “The brazenness of this driver is incredibly frustrating as the consequences of his actions could be catastrophic.

“He has been found driving at almost twice the legal alcohol limit on two separate occasions in less than a week.

“To get behind the wheel in this state is reckless and irresponsible and now he could be jailed when he appears back in front of magistrates later this month.”

Dedman first appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on April 24 where he admitted driving while above the legal alcohol limit in relation to the initial offence on April 23.

He was disqualified from driving for three years, issued with a £750 fine and told to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £75.

When the 50-year-old appeared before the same court on April 27 he admitted driving while above the legal alcohol limit on April 26, driving with no insurance and driving whilst disqualified. He was released on bail to be sentenced on May 19.

Dedman was also disqualified from driving for 17 months in April 2016 after admitting another offence of driving while above the legal alcohol limit.

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