Local motorists arrested in Sussex Police's drink-drive crackdown

Forty-five motorists have been arrested as part of Operation Dragonfly '“ Sussex Police's summer crackdown on drink-driving.
Operation Dragonfly is focused on drink and drug-driving SUS-141224-111002001Operation Dragonfly is focused on drink and drug-driving SUS-141224-111002001
Operation Dragonfly is focused on drink and drug-driving SUS-141224-111002001

Officers have been carrying out patrols across the county since June 6.

Amongst those arrested were:

• Jennifer Hazlewood, 67, retired, of Eastbourne Road, Polegate, was arrested in Hailsham Road, Polegate, on June 7 and charged with driving with 40mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in her system. She is due to appear before Hastings Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

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• Michael Howe, 51, an engineer, of Hawthylands Road, Hailsham, was arrested in Station Road, Hailsham, on June 7 and charged with driving with 48mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system. He is due to appear before Hastings Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

• Darren Pattenden, 43, a builder, of South Chailey, Lewes, was arrested in South Chailey, Lewes, on June 10, and charged with driving with 90mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system and driving without a valid licence. He is due to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on July 14.

• Jaqueline Brill, 28, a travel agent, of Elphick Road, Newhaven, was arrested in Dacre Road, Newhaven, on June 11 and charged with driving with 74mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in her system. She is due to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on June 27.

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.

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“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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