Retired firefighter almost four times the legal limit

A RETIRED firefighter who drove a Renault Scenic into a parked car at Perranporth one night was later found to be nearly four times the drink-drive limit.

Ernest Hosking, 57, of St George's Hill, Perranporth, pleaded guilty at Truro Magistrates' Court to drink-driving on October 3.

Alison May, for the prosecution, said a witness in the taxi office at Perranporth heard a crash outside and saw the Scenic being driven off after colliding with a parked Ford Fiesta.

It was travelling so slowly he was able to walk with it until it went into a nearby car park, where he saw Hosking slump out of the driver's seat. The vehicle started to move and the witness was able to step in and apply the handbrake and remove the ignition key.

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Police were called and the driver arrested. He later tested at 135mcg alcohol, nearly four times the limit. He had no previous convictions.

Hosking's solicitor Elliott Moore said he had served three years with the Royal Military Police before working as a signwriter and then worked as a firefighter for more than 25 years, retiring at 55.

He had been struggling with retirement and was on medication for depression. He also had an alcohol problem for which he was now getting help. Hosking was banned from driving for 32 months and told to do 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay £145 costs and surcharge.