Drink-driver who smashed into barn near Ely while three times limit is jailed

A drink-driver has been jailed after crashed his ex-partner’s car into a barn while more than three times the legal limit.

Shaun Eldridge, 34, was drinking at a pub in Ely before he left in his ex-partner’s car, which he had taken without her consent, at about 1am on 1 November.

Police received a 999 call about 20 minutes later from a member of the public reporting a car that had crashed into a barn in Upware Road, just outside Ely.

When officers breathalysed Eldridge at the scene, he registered 109 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath - more than three times the legal limit of 35.

Further checks revealed Eldridge also had no valid driving licence and no insurance.

Eldridge, of Akeman Close, Stretham, pleaded guilty at Cambridge Magistrates' Court last Thursday (1 May) to using a motor vehicle without third party insurance, driving whilst disqualified, driving when above the legal alcohol limit, and aggravated vehicle taking without the owner’s consent.

He was sentenced to five months imprisonment and ordered to pay a £250 fine.

PC James Lewis, who investigated, said: “Eldridge not only got behind the wheel of a car that wasn’t his own without insurance or a license, he also chose to drive while highly intoxicated.

“His actions were selfish and he’s lucky no-one else was involved in the crash as it could have ended very differently.

“There is no excuse for driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, and we urge anyone who is intoxicated to arrange an alternative mode of transport.”

The force operates a dedicated, 24/7 confidential hotline on 0800 032 0845, through which members of the public can report anyone who they think may be driving under the influence.