COUNTY NEWS: Serial offender jailed over drink-driving

A serial drink-driver caught more than four times over the legal limit in Sussex has been jailed.
Mark Howlett. Photo by Sussex Police SUS-160818-133143001Mark Howlett. Photo by Sussex Police SUS-160818-133143001
Mark Howlett. Photo by Sussex Police SUS-160818-133143001

Mark Howlett also faces a lengthy ban, after being convicted of the offence for the fourth time in 12 years – he was sentenced to 60 days in prison for drink-driving in 2007, as well as being convicted in 2006 and 2004.

The 37-year-old was reported to police by a taxi driver travelling behind his Vauxhall Astra van who was concerned by his erratic driving in Hastings Road, Battle, East Sussex, at about 5.33pm on June 28.

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Howlett made off from the scene on foot, after the quick-thinking cabbie managed to stop the vehicle and remove his keys from the ignition to stop him from driving further.

However, he was arrested by officers nearby and recorded a roadside breath test reading of 142mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system. The legal limit is 35mcg.

While in the back of the police car, he commented: “Why didn’t I catch the train?”

Howlett, unemployed, of Flimwell Close, St Leonards, pleaded guilty to drink-driving at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on August 2.

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Due to the severity of the reading, the time of day and his previous record, he was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison.

In addition, he was given a 50-month disqualification and ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge.

Howlett was convicted as part of Operation Dragonfly, Surrey and Sussex Police’s summer crackdown on drink and drug-driving.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving.

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