Gelvin Lyons, a 42-year-old father of three from Cradley Heath, has been sentenced after a drink-driving incident that resulted in the loss of his job. Police discovered him behind the wheel of his silver Ford Fiesta with the engine still running following a collision report on The Promenade, Brierley Hill, on June 9.
Arrest and breath test results
Officers arrived at the scene to find Lyons in the driver's seat with the keys in the ignition and the engine running. A breath test revealed he had 102 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, nearly three times the legal limit of 35 micrograms. Lyons was arrested and later charged with driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit.
Court appearance and plea
At Dudley Magistrates' Court, Lyons pleaded guilty to the offence. The court was told that he had made the wrong decision after an argument with his wife. He had been employed as a warehouse driver but lost his job following the arrest. Lyons was now waiting for benefits to begin, according to his legal representative.
Sentence and consequences
Magistrates handed Lyons a 12-month community order, which includes 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for 42 months. Additionally, Lyons must pay a victim surcharge of £114 and costs of £85. The disqualification period reflects the seriousness of the offence and the high alcohol level recorded.
Impact on family and community
The incident has had severe repercussions for Lyons and his family. Losing his job as a warehouse driver has left him financially dependent on benefits. The driving ban will further restrict his ability to seek employment or manage daily responsibilities. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers and legal consequences of drink-driving in the West Midlands.
