A successful businessman has been fined after he was caught drink driving in Chippenham.
Anthony Guy Briselden, 55, owner of growth capital firm Bixteth Partners, pleaded guilty to driving whilst over the prescribed alcohol limit at Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (14 February).
Prosecutor Tom Power said the defendant, of Wick Hill, Bremhill, near Calne, was caught driving after a police officer on patrol heard a ‘commotion’ outside The Old Road Tavern on 1 December last year.
He was driving a Mini Cooper past establishment when a bin was pushed into this vehicle, causing his wing mirror to break.
In a bid to get away, he drove through a red traffic light at low speed – witnessed by PC Dutton. The officer initially believed he had struck one of the pedestrians in the incident, but there was no evidence of this.
The officer signalled for the Briselden to stop in The Common, Langley Burrell. He complied with the officer and provided a positive roadside breath test, and he was arrested.
In custody, he provided a breath sample of 102 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
His solicitor Darren Burleigh told the court that Briselden runs an FSA-registered business which earns him around £100,000 a year and employs three staff. He also does charity work, including with the Royal British Legion.
Mr Burleigh added that his client would normally get picked up by his wife or get a taxi home, but following a “major row” and the fact no taxis were available nearby, he made the “foolish” decision to drive home instead of troubling his partner.
Magistrates fined him £3,846 and imposed a driving ban of 28 months. He must also pay costs of £85 and a £160 surcharge.
Briselden was given the opportunity to complete a drink-drive rehabilitation course, which would reduce this disqualification by 25%.
