A scientist involved in breathalyser design was banned from driving after failing one himself.

Dr. Richard Lacey, a 70-year-old retired scientist known for his contributions to the development of breathalyzers, recently found himself in trouble with the law. On November 23rd, he made the mistake of drinking a few glasses of wine and a couple of pints of beer with his lunch before getting behind the wheel of his Peugeot. As he was driving on the A479 near Talgarth, Wales, his car ended up mounting a roundabout and causing damage to one of its wheels, rendering it unable to move.

When Lacey appeared in court, he admitted to his actions and explained that he had misjudged the amount of alcohol he had consumed. As someone who used to work with the police and design breathalyzers, he should have known better. However, he stated that since he is now retired, he had let his guard down and indulged in a couple of glasses of wine and a few pints of beer with his lunch.

According to the prosecutor, Shane Maddocks, Lacey was visibly unsteady when the police arrived on the scene. The damage to his car and his wobbly state were clear indicators that he had been drinking. Lacey then failed the roadside breath test and was subsequently arrested. It was revealed that his breath contained 41 micrograms of alcohol, exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

During the hearing, Lacey represented himself and had very little to say in his defense. He was honest about his mistake and acknowledged that he should have been more responsible. As someone with no previous convictions, he was given a 13-month driving ban, which could be reduced by 13 weeks if he completed a drink drive awareness course. Additionally, he was fined £600 and ordered to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 in costs.

It is clear that Lacey's actions had consequences, not only for himself but also for those around him. As someone who has contributed to the development of breathalyzers, he should have known the importance of responsible drinking and driving. Hopefully, this experience will serve as a lesson for him and others to always make responsible decisions when it comes to alcohol and driving.

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