Driver over double the limit

CCTV operators alerted police after they spotted Derek Walters staggering to his vehicle in the Paradise Centre car park at Ely. Officers arrived on the scene to see Walters driving away – and a police car s blue flashing lights were used to stop him. Wal

CCTV operators alerted police after they spotted Derek Walters staggering to his vehicle in the Paradise Centre car park at Ely.

Officers arrived on the scene to see Walters driving away - and a police car's blue flashing lights were used to stop him.

Walters failed a breathalyser test, and later gave a breath test reading more than double the legal alcohol limit.

Appearing at Ely courthouse on Thursday, 48-year-old Walters, of Branch Bridge, Queen Adelaide, admitted drink driving on May 22.

Walters had been driving a red Nissan Primera car at the time of the offence, said prosecutor Angela Sassoli.

As police arrived at the car park, they saw him leaving, and turned their vehicle around. Walters was followed into Prickwillow Road, and a second police car was called out.

His breath test reading was 82 mcgs of alcohol in 100 mls of breath, when the legal limit is 35 mcgs.

"I don't seek to offer any excuse," Walters told the court. "I am totally ashamed. It was a dangerous, selfish and stupid thing to do."

Walters, who works shifts at Stansted airport, was banned from driving for 20 months and fined £750 with £95 costs, and a £15 surcharge.