A Birmingham roofer has admitted to drink-driving after striking a pedestrian with his van, an incident he initially mistook for hitting a wing mirror. The court heard that Russell Harber, 61, of Hazeldene Road, Sheldon, had consumed 'one too many beers' at a golf day before getting behind the wheel of his Ford Transit van.
Incident on Church Road
The collision occurred on Sunday, July 5, on Church Road, where Harber struck a pedestrian's arm. He later told Birmingham Magistrates' Court: "I didn't realise I had drunk that much until I got pulled over." The pedestrian, fortunately, did not sustain serious injuries and chose not to provide a victim impact statement for the proceedings.
Prosecutor Ms Begum outlined the sequence of events: "Officers were called as a pedestrian had been hit on the arm by a van. The defendant was identified as the driver of the vehicle. He admitted he had hit something but said he thought it was a wing mirror. The officer smelt alcohol on him. A road side breath test was conducted and he blew 56mcg, he was told he was over the limit, to which he responded, 'I know that.'"
Court Proceedings and Aggravating Factors
Ms Begum highlighted that the offence was aggravated by the "unacceptable standard of driving as he hit a pedestrian on the arm and was not aware of that." Additionally, the fact that Harber was driving a transit van was considered an aggravating factor, given the potential for more severe consequences in such a large vehicle.
When questioned about his decision to drive after drinking, Harber expressed remorse: "Just out of stupidity and I apologise. I had just one beer too many after playing golf. I was sitting there with friends and didn't realise I had drunk that much until I got pulled over. I work for myself, it's going kill me because I'm not going to be earning. All I can say is I apologise for the inconvenience I have caused everybody."
Previous Offences and Sentencing
The court was informed of Harber's driving offences from 2006 and 2011, but these were disregarded due to the significant time that had elapsed. The Chair of the Magistrates' bench remarked: "It is your third, fortunately for you I have to disregard the 2006 and 2011 ones, I don't want to but I have to. You did, however, hit a pedestrian so I am going to sentence you at the top of the bottom range."
Harber was ordered to pay £434, comprising a £249 fine, £85 costs, and £100 victim surcharge, to be settled at a rate of £40 per month. He also received a 16-month driving ban, which could be reduced by 16 weeks upon completion of a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
