Employee took boss's car after drinking half a bottle of whisky

AN EMPLOYEE took his boss's car without permission and drove it drunk into a wall, resulting in damage costing £1,500 to repair.

Roberto McElwee, 23, of Falmouth Road, Redruth, pleaded guilty at Truro Magistrates' Court to drink-driving on November 18 and to aggravated vehicle taking jointly with another person.

Alison May, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said he had been working as a casual employee at Duchy Hydraulics Ltd, from where he took the Subaru Impreza.

McElwee told an officer he had not been driving but a witness had seen him hit the wall and swap seats with his passenger before the car was driven off.

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McElwee tested at 64mcg, nearly twice the legal limit. He later admitted lying and said he only had a provisional licence.

His solicitor Terry Eastwood said the South African, who intended to continue living in Cornwall, and a colleague had drank half a bottle of whisky each before deciding to drive the boss's car to a pub.

He lost his job because of what happened.

McElwee was given a community order for nine months with a programme requirement and banned from driving for 16 months. A drink banning order was also imposed, he had to pay £145 costs and surcharge and compensation of £350.