A man who is registered blind took his partner's car without permission and drove approximately 150 miles while over the legal alcohol limit, a court was told. Anthony Hall, 49, was stopped by police on the M6 northbound near Carlisle at 1:45 a.m. on Monday, June 29.
Prosecutors stated that Hall told officers he had been following the tail lights of heavy goods vehicles to navigate. A police officer observed the Vauxhall Meriva drifting onto the hard shoulder and between lanes before initiating the stop. Upon questioning, Hall admitted to consuming alcohol and informed the officer that he had been blind for about two years.
The prosecutor described the incident as a "prolonged and persistent course of dangerous driving" and a "deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road." It was noted as fortunate that no injuries or damage occurred during the journey.
Hall, who resides in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, provided a breath sample at the roadside that indicated a positive result. An evidential test at a police station revealed 46 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35 mcg.
Appearing in court wearing dark glasses and using a white stick, Hall pleaded guilty to five offenses: dangerous driving, taking a vehicle without consent, driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving without insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a license. The vehicle was reportedly taken from a partner without permission.
His defense solicitor requested an adjournment for a pre-sentence report, citing significant personal circumstances to be considered. The case was adjourned, and Hall is scheduled for sentencing at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court on September 8. He has been issued an interim driving ban, notwithstanding his lack of a valid license. Dangerous driving carries a mandatory disqualification, and Hall could face jail time or a community sentence.