Breathalyser Co-Creator Prohibited from Driving After Drink-Driving Conviction

Richard Lacey, 70, one of the individuals involved in designing breathalysers—the apparatus police employ to ascertain if drivers have consumed excessive alcohol—has been issued a driving ban for drink-driving. Mr. Lacey entered a guilty plea to a single count of drink-driving in Powys last month, following his court appearance at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court this week. Mr. Lacey was required to utilize the very device he helped develop after law enforcement officers responded to a road traffic incident on the A479 near Talgarth on 23 November. He received a 13-month disqualification from driving, a £600 fine, and was mandated to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 in court costs. His Peugeot 208 GT Puretech had mounted a roundabout, resulting in damage to a wheel and rendering the vehicle inoperable. The defendant informed the court on Tuesday that he had consumed a couple of glasses of wine and a couple of pints with his lunch prior to the accident. Prosecutor Shane Maddocks stated that Mr. Lacey, of Wallstytch Lane, Kington, was described as “wobbly” when police arrived at the scene after receiving a report from a member of the public. Mr. Maddocks quoted, “The defendant said he had drunk a couple of pints and a bottle of wine. He failed the roadside breath test and was arrested.” Mr. Maddocks also noted that Mr. Lacey had no previous convictions. The alcohol level in Mr. Lacey’s breath was recorded at 41 micrograms, which exceeded the legal limit of 35 micrograms. Representing himself at the hearing, Mr. Lacey declared: “I’ve really got nothing to say. I misjudged how much I’d drunk.” He further elaborated, “I had a couple of glasses of wine with lunch and a few pints of beer,” adding, “I’m retired. I designed breathalysers and used to work with the police.” Mr. Lacey has the opportunity to reduce his driving prohibition by 13 weeks if he successfully completes a drink-drive awareness course. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC holds no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.