August 1st 2023.
It was early morning on May 11 when Tony Holmwood, 28, was pulled over for driving a Ford van on a dual carriageway near Northumberland. A traffic officer, parked nearby, heard the sound of metal scraping along the road before Holmwood's van came to a stop. Sparks were flying from the destroyed wheels and it was leaning heavily to one side.
When the traffic officer spoke to Holmwood, he seemed 'vacant' and was unsteady on his feet. After completing a breath test, Holmwood was found to be nearly twice the legal limit for alcohol. He had a reading of 67ml out of 100ml, whereas the legal limit was 35ml.
The next day, a police investigation found scrape marks along rural roads, and an ambulance caught the van on its dashcam with sparks coming from the ruined wheels. It was visibly leaning to one side as it drove along the dual carriageway.
Officers calculated that Holmwood had driven for 28.7 miles with two completely destroyed wheels. His driving license was suspended for 18 months, and he was ordered to take part in 15 rehabilitation days, complete 150 hours of unpaid work, and pass an extended re-test at the end of his disqualification.
Judge Penny Moreland said during Holmwood's court appearance, "There was a burning smell coming from the vehicle. It's inconceivable that you didn't know you were driving a vehicle that had no nearside tyres for a period of nearly 29 miles." In the end, Holmwood was given a nine month prison sentence which was suspended for one year.
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