Man registered blind drove 150 miles at night after 'sharing four bottles of wine'

Man registered blind drove 150 miles at night after 'sharing four bottles of wine' Anthony Hall, 50, from Huddersfield, who has never had a driver's licence and is registered blind, was spotted by police 'weaving around' on the M6 A man who is registered drove around 150 miles at night before telling police who stopped him that he had shared four bottles of wine with his partner. Anthony Hall, 50, from Huddersfield, was driving a Vauxhall Meriva when he was spotted by police in the early hours of the morning "weaving around" on the M6 northbound near Carlisle, Kirklees Magistrates' Court heard. The court was told that Hall, who arrived for his hearing wearing dark glasses and holding a white stick, had never held a driver's licence and was registered blind. Damian Walsh, prosecuting, said police received information in the early hours of June 29 about a driver under the influence of alcohol and who was blind. They located a Meriva heading north near to junction 44. The vehicle was said to be "weaving around" and going onto the hard shoulder. Hall pulled over and, when asked if he had been drinking, said that he had. He was asked if he was blind, and he said yes. He said he had gone blind around two years ago, but was able to see some light and that he had driven following the lights on a HGV. He had overtaken a HGV and was looking for another "marker" when stopped, having driven around 150 miles from Huddersfield. He admitted taking his partner's car without consent. During interview, he told police he knew the risks he was taking but that he "wanted to get as far away from home life" and to reach Scotland due to "ongoing disagreements" at home. He had followed tail lights all the way from Huddersfield and had visited a petrol station where an attendant had filled up the car with fuel. He told police that he never had a driving licence and that before he drove he and his partner had consumed four bottles of wine between them. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Hall previously admitted dangerous driving, taking a motor without the owner's consent, drink driving, and, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance. He has no previous convictions. Adele Graham, mitigating, that on the night in question, Hall had suffered a breakdown, felt trapped in his own home and was in psychological distress. He was now taking medication and was said to be feeling better. Magistrates handed Hall a 36-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He must also carry out 10 rehabilitation activity days. He will also be subject to a 90-day alcohol monitoring via a tag. Hall, who received Personal Independence Payments, must also pay £272 costs. Magistrates also disqualified him from driving for 12 months.