Tractor driver under influence ploughs through town

Thursday 06 April 2017

A 64-year-old man who drove his tractor past Havana nightclub in the early hours of the morning whilst under the influence of alcohol has been sentenced to 50 hours of community service.

Trevor Alan Perron was found to have driven his grey Massey Ferguson tractor down Trinity Hill past Robin Hood, before going up Bath Street – a pedestrianised zone - near a group of smokers outside the Havana Club on 19 February this year.

He pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to comply with road traffic laws in the Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Mr Perron had claimed he was on his way to the Harbour in the early hours of the morning to assist a friend with a broken gear box when the Police stopped him from driving down the pedestrianised area, which he had only used as a “shortcut”.

Pictured: The Magistrates Court, where the case was heard by Magistrate Bridget Shaw yesterday.

When the Police stopped Mr Perron at 01:10 outside Havana, which had a large number of people gathered outside in the smoking area, he stopped his tractor but proceeded to fail a roadside breath test. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving over the limit and of failing to comply with road laws. 

Magistrate Bridget Shaw described his actions as both “dangerous” and “reckless” - not only due to the fact he had consumed alcohol, but also as he potentially endangered the people gathered outside Havana nightclub and walking in the area. 

“It’s one thing to drive whilst over the limit on a public road where the public expect to see vehicles and will take care when crossing the road… it’s another thing to turn onto the pedestrian area where you take the risk of coming into contact with pedestrians,” she said.

Advocate Haines told the Court that Mr Perron had believed the action to be acceptable, as Bath Street is open to delivery vehicles. Magistrate Shaw rejected the claim, however, adding: “A delivery driver would be sober one hopes.” 

This was not Mr Perron’s first offence. He was also disqualified from driving in 1999 and was convicted for driving whilst disqualified in 2008.

In light of his previous offences, Mr Perron was handed an 18-month driving disqualification and 50 hours of community service.