Drink-driver caught after he asked police to jump-start his car

A police patrol found the Vauxhall Astra of Lewis Hines stopped in the middle of the Bridge Road roundabout on the A259 at Climping at 1.35am on Boxing Day.

The 24-year-old asked the officers to jump start his car but because he was slurring his words, they instead breathalysed him. Hines was almost twice the drink-drive limit so was arrested.

Hines, of Horsham Road, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when he appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (January 7).

He was banned from driving for 17 months, fined £350 and told to pay a £35 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

A total of 30 people have so far been convicted of offences as part of the December 2014 campaign.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving or visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

To keep up to date with officers looking for drink drivers, follow #opdragonfly on Twitter.

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs call 999.