British scientist who helped design breathalyser caught DRUNK driving in stunning irony

A British scientist who helped design a roadside breathalyser test has been banned from driving after he was caught drunk behind the wheel.

Dr Richard Lacey, 70, admitted to drinking a bottle of wine and having some pints with his lunch before he drove his vehicle onto a kerb at a roundabout in Wales.

Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court was told that Lacey’s Peugeot 208 Gt Puretech was left immobile after the incident.

The 70-year-old appeared “wobbly” when police officers arrived on the scene in Powys on November 23.

A roadside breath test to measure the concentration of alcohol in his blood found that his breath was measured at 41 micrograms – exceeding the legal limit of 35.

Lacey, who is now retired from his tech company Tilekiln Tech Consultants Ltd, pleaded guilty to a single charge of drink driving.

Representing himself, Lacey, of Kington, Herefordshire, told the court: “I’ve really got nothing to say. I misjudged how much I’d drunk. I had a couple of glasses of wine with lunch and a few pints of beer.”

He added: “I’m retired. I designed breathalysers and used to work with the police.”

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Prosecutor Shane Maddocks told the court: “PC Williams and PC Webber were on patrol in the Brecon area; they received a call from a member of the public, reporting that the defendant had mounted the kerb at a Talgarth roundabout.

“The car had been removed off the roundabout. The defendant had definitely been drinking and was wobbly.

“The vehicle was damaged, its right wheel was twisted, which had rendered the vehicle immobile.

“The defendant said he had drunk a couple of pints and a bottle of wine. He failed the roadside breath test and was arrested.”

Maddocks said Lacey had no previous convictions.

The retired 70-year-old was disqualified from driving for 13 months, however, he can reduce this by 13 weeks by completing a drink-driving awareness course.

He was also fined £600 and told to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 in costs.