6 drink drivers caught in Horsham District and Crawley among 13 convicted in summer crackdown

The six were arrested during a summer crackdown on drink and drug-drivers which saw a total of 279 arrests made in Sussex during the operation between 11 June and 11 July, police said. A large proportion of the arrests (79) were in relation to an unlicensed music event in Steyning.

A spokesman said: “Elliot Ward, 21, a builder, of Middle Mead, Steyning, was arrested in Kings Barn Lane, Steyning, on 23 June and charged with driving with 47mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.

At Worthing Magistrates’ Court on 20 July, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay a £400 fine, £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

“David Power, 36, a telecommunications employee, of Dacre Gardens, Upper Beeding, was arrested on the A2037 in Upper Beeding on 19 June and charged with driving with 68mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.

At Worthing Magistrates’ Court on 20 July, he was disqualified from driving for 17 months. He was also ordered to pay a £700 fine, £85 costs and a £70 victim surcharge.

“Hayden Brock, 21, a student, of Rowlands Road, Horsham, was arrested in Rushams Road, Horsham, on 19 June and charged with driving with 86mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.

At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 5 July, he was disqualified from driving for 21 months. He was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.”

Utsav Bhatta, 33, a chef, of Arrowscout Walk, Ealing, was arrested in Brighton Road, Crawley, on 30 June, and charged with driving with 81mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system and driving with no insurance, said police. At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 14 July, he was disqualified from driving for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay a £640 fine, £85 costs and a £64 victim surcharge. Mark Bonnell, 42, a mechanic, of Six Acres, Slinfold, was arrested in Dorking Road, Warnham, on 3 July and charged with driving with 87mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system. At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 19 July, he was disqualified from driving for 20 months. He was also ordered to pay a £200 fine, £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

The spokesman added: “Antoaneta Getova, 49, a care assistant, of High Street, Guildford, was arrested on the A29 at Five Oaks on 5 July and charged with driving with 77mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in her system.

At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 20 July, she was disqualified from driving for 18 months. She was also ordered to pay a £369 fine, £85 costs and a £37 victim surcharge.”

Police carried out dedicated patrols during the crackdown to tackle one of the five most common causes of fatal and serious injury collisions, through education, engagement and enforcement.