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Blind man sentenced for 150-mile drive while drunk
Hall, who is registered blind and had no licence, admitted drink-driving and dangerous driving after police stopped him near Carlisle.
On Tuesday, Kirklees Magistrates' Court sentenced Anthony Hall, 50, to 36 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, after admitting dangerous driving and drink-driving while registered blind.
Hall drove about 150 miles from Huddersfield to Cumbria on June 29 by following an HGV's tail lights while intoxicated and registered blind, navigating the M6 at night without a valid licence.
Police stopped Hall near junction 42 after reports of the vehicle swerving; his breathalyser readings of 50 and 46 micrograms both exceeded the 35-microgram legal limit in England and Wales.
Defence solicitor Adele Graham stated Hall suffered a breakdown, describing him as 'an individual in crisis making a poor decision while in crisis.' He must complete 90 days of rehabilitation and pay £272 in costs.
Magistrate Tracey McErlain-Burns cited Hall's previous good character and personal difficulties when suspending the custodial sentence, noting no one was injured during the 150-mile journey ending near Carlisle.
Anthony Hall's 50-year-old erratic direction at the wheel of the car caught the attention of the police in Carlisle, ma England, UK. An agent stopped the Vauxhall Meriva and was surprised to find a man with a strong breath of drink who confessed to having been blinded for about two years, being able to see only lights, and it was they who helped him drive for more than 240 kilometers following the lanterns of a truck. Out of the way: Three touri…