Man caught drink driving in wheelchair

TERRY STEPHENS was caught drink driving — in his wheelchair.

Stephens has been cautioned for being over the drink-drive limit on an electric wheelchair.

Suffering from sciatica which causes pain in the leg and lower back he was making the 600-yard journey home from his local British Legion Club after drinking a few pints.

But police officers spotted the 61-year-old driving along the road at Pentre in Rhondda, Wales, and ordered him to take a breath test which showed he was over the limit.

Mr Stephens had to be carried into the police car and driven home, while one of the officers followed behind on the mobility vehicle.

He was warned he will face prosecution if he is caught drink driving again.

Chief Inspector Paul Cannon from South Wales Police said Mr Stephens was lucky not to have been charged with the offence.

"The same drink driving laws apply to electric wheelchairs as other motorised vehicles," he said.

"I would strongly advise Mr Stephens to seek another form of transport if he is going out drinking in future," he added.

Mr Stephens, who had played drums in the sixties pop group Five of Diamonds, said he was going to use taxis to go to the pub from now on.

"I couldn't believe it when they pulled me over and asked me to give a breath test," he said.

"The wheelchair only goes at walking pace it is not as if I was at the controls of a car while drunk.

"But when I was over the limit they said I could not continue my journey and they drove me home.

"But now I am paying for taxis to take me back and forth to the club because I don't want to get stopped again," he added.