Electrician and chef charged over drink-driving in Hastings

An electrician and a chef have been charged over drink-driving in Hastings and are among the first to be caught as part of a police crackdown.
Sussex PoliceSussex Police
Sussex Police

Police officers have been carrying out dedicated patrols to target offenders as part of Operation Dragonfly since Monday, June 6.

Robert Spillane and Anthony McDonald are among 45 motorists to be arrested on suspicion of drink or drug-related driving offences in Sussex in the first seven days of the campaign, which runs until July 10

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Of these, 29 have so far been charged with offences and are due to appear in court.

Spillane, of Montgomery Road, was arrested in Victoria Avenue on Wednesday (June 8) and charged with driving with 97mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.

The legal limit is 35mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

The 37-year-old electrician is due to appear before Hastings Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 22.

McDonald, of Caves Road, St Leonards, was arrested in Old London Road on Friday (June 10) and charged with driving with 63mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.

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The 60-year-old chef is due to appear before Hastings Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 29.

Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas, of the Surrey and Sussex Police Roads Policing Unit, said: “Unfortunately, no matter what time of year it is, drink and drug-driving is a recurring problem. These statistics highlight the fact that whatever the weather, a lot of people still continue to take risks on the roads in Sussex.

“People associate summer with longer hours and social events such as parties and barbecues, but there’s no specific explanation as to why we have so many offenders at this time of year. The message is and always has been clear – drink or drive; never both.

“We have a zero tolerance approach towards drink and drug-driving, and anyone caught driving while above the legal limit of drink or drugs will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”

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

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/).

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

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

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