Drink driving onChristmas Day

File photo dated 30/11/06 of a motorist being given a breath test by police. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday June 1, 2012. Police have launched a summer anti-drink-drive campaign warning motorists they face checks in the morning as well as at night-time. The month-long campaign by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) will also target those who take drugs and then drive. Acpo said tests will be carried out at all times of the day and night, including first thing in the morning. During last year's campaign, which also ran in June, 88,629 people were stopped and breath-tested, with 6.1% testing positive or refusing a test. See PA story TRANSPORT Drink Campaign. Photo credit should read: John Giles/PA Wire ENGPPP00120130412172137

George Hannah, of Queen Elizabeth Close, was arrested at 2am on 25 December after he was seen by police driving the wrong way down the one-way Langney Road in Eastbourne.

The 19-year-old had been given the keys to a friend’s Vauxhall Corsa to get his jacket from inside but had then got behind the wheel and had two friends in the passenger seats.

Not only was he over the drink-drive limit but he had no licence or insurance.

He was caught during Sussex Police’s Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-driving.

Hannah pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance when he appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on 18 February.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a £550 fine, £40 costs and a £27 victim surcharge.

Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas, from Surrey and Sussex roads policing unit, said: “Hannah put not only his life but that of his friends and other road users in danger by his selfish actions.

“He had not even passed his driving test but thought it was acceptable while on a night out to get behind the wheel of a car after he had been drinking.

“Drink-driving is totally unacceptable and we have officers out every day looking for people like Hannah who think the law does not apply to them.

“If you know a motorist is drink-driving please tell us immediately so that we can get them off the streets before they hurt someone.”