Blind man drink-drove 150 miles using lorry lights as guide on one of Britain's busiest motorways

A blind man drink-drove 150 miles using lorry lights as a guide, a court has heard.

Anthony Hall, 49, was stopped whilst driving a Vauxhall Meriva on the M6 northbound, near Carlisle, on Monday, June 29.

The court also heard Hall was over the drink-drive limit.

He told police he followed lorry lights, Carlisle Magistrates’ Court was told.

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Suresh Basra, prosecuting, said: “Mr Hall is registered blind. He doesn’t have a driving licence. He is not allowed to drive.

“He took the vehicle in question, I believe, from a partner without permission. He had driven some 150 miles from Huddersfield.”

A police officer was called upon to look out for the car after multiple reports from concerned motorists.

The officer witnessed the Meriva swaying into the hard shoulder as well as between lanes one and two.

Mr Basra continued: “(The officer) has stopped the vehicle, spoken to Mr Hall and asked whether he had consumed alcohol. He said ‘yes’. He said he went blind about two years ago.

“He was asked how he managed to drive. He said he was just following HGV lights.”

He added at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court: “It is a prolonged and persistent course of dangerous driving - a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road.”

Mr Basra said it was “miraculous” that there were no injuries or damage caused by Hall’s driving.

Hall, of Huddersfield, provided a positive roadside breath test.

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A police station sample showed 46 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 36 micrograms.

Hall pleaded guilty to five offences: dangerous driving, taking a vehicle without consent, drink-driving, no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence

He appeared in court wearing dark glasses and using a white stick.

Defence solicitor Adele Graham asked for the case to be adjourned to allow for preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report.

She said: “There are a lot of circumstances, I would submit, that do need to be considered before passing sentence – a lot of personal circumstances surrounding Mr Hall’s life and background.”

Magistrates adjourned the case for a report.

Hall is due to be sentenced at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court on September 8.

He has also received a driving ban, despite having no driving licence.

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