Citizen’s arrest driver is banned

Reckless drink-driver John Grant was only stopped when a fellow motorist forced him to pull over and made a citizen’s arrest.

Yesterday the father-of-two was banned from driving for two years and electronically tagged in an attempt to curb his drinking.

New Forest magistrates heard driver Paul Martin started following a Ford Focus driven by Grant, 33, after it began swerving on the A326 near Marchwood at around 3pm on January 24.

On several occasions Grant moved onto the other side of the road to try to overtake despite oncoming traffic, the court heard.

He also tried to pass cars in front on blind bends and at one point hit a roadside bush, prosecutor Rachel Lile said.

Grant’s dangerous antics were only brought to an end when Mr Martin pulled in front of his car at Hilltop, near Beaulieu, forcing the defendant to stop.

Ms Lile said Grant had then become aggressive but was overpowered by Mr Martin, who grabbed his car keys and pinned him on the floor while a passer-by called police.

A breath test showed that he was more than three times the limit, the court heard.

Mitigating, Peter Clarke told the court his client had drunk ten pints the night before but had only had one pint that day.

He added: “He fully accepts and realises the gravity of the offence.

“He simply did not realise he was becoming drunk again.”

Presiding magistrate Nigel Henley said: “Your behaviour that day is a pretty unhappy story.”

Grant, an estimator for the construction industry, was disqualified from driving for 24 months and ordered to remain in his house in Adams Road, Hythe, between 7pm and 7am on Fridays and Saturdays for ten weeks.

He was also told to pay £70 costs.

Following the incident Mr Martin was praised by road safety charity Brake for intervening.

A spokesman said: “Brake applauds action taken by members of the public to prevent drink-driving.”