Two drink drivers from Mid Sussex among 13 convicted in summer crackdown

Two drink drivers from Mid Sussex have been convicted as part of a summer crackdown on drink and drug-driving, Sussex Police have said.
By Lawrence Smith
Published 23rd Jul 2021, 17:31 BST
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So far 13 people, who were arrested during the campaign, can now be identified having been convicted in court, said police.

A total of 279 arrests were made in Sussex during the operation between June 11 and July 11, police said, adding that a large proportion of the arrests (79) were in relation to an unlicensed music event in Steyning.

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A police spokesperson said: “Anthony Andrews, 29, a service engineer, of Chanctonbury Road, Burgess Hill, was arrested in Chanctonbury Road, Burgess Hill, on 20 June and charged with driving with 68mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.

Police said two drink drivers from Mid Sussex have been convicted as part of a summer crackdown on drink and drug-driving.Police said two drink drivers from Mid Sussex have been convicted as part of a summer crackdown on drink and drug-driving.
Police said two drink drivers from Mid Sussex have been convicted as part of a summer crackdown on drink and drug-driving.

“At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 5 July, he was disqualified from driving for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay a £276 fine, £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.”

The police spokesperson added: “Justin Sowerbutts, 25, unemployed, of Woodland Avenue, Burgess Hill, was arrested in Exchange Road, Crawley, on 6 July, and charged with driving with 46mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system, driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop after a road traffic collision.

“At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 7 July, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months and required to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.”

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Police said they carried out dedicated patrols during the crackdown to tackle ‘one of the five most common causes of fatal and serious injury collisions, through education, engagement and enforcement’.

They warned that the consequences of driving under the influence of drink or drugs can include: killing or seriously injuring yourself or someone else, a minimum 12 month ban, an unlimited fine, a possible prison sentence, a criminal record, an increase in your car insurance costs, and trouble travelling to countries like the USA.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug-driving, or visit the Operation Crackdown website.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online.

People who know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs, can call 999.