Drink driver found to have knuckle duster

A Holbeach drink-driver stopped by police in Whaplode had a knuckle duster in his pocket.

Chris Downes (54) was in an Audi A3 in High Road on January 6, magistrates in Boston heard on
Wednesday.

He provided a positive breath test, said prosecutor Shelley Wilson.

“At that point, he reached in to a trouser pocket and took out a silver knuckle duster,” she added. “He stated that it was a belt buckle.”

In custody, Downes, of Langwith Gardens, blew 55 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of
breath. The legal limit is 35.

In police interview, he said he carried the knuckle duster for his own “personal protection”.

“He stated that he never used it and never intended to – it was more of a scare tactic,” added Miss
Wilson.

In mitigation, Phillipa Chatterton said her client had no intention of driving that night but a friend
was upset that he had not returned some property and “in the heat of the moment” he decided to
do that.

“It would appear that she rang the police about him and that was the reason for the stop,” added
Miss Chatterton.

Downes, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving and having an offensive weapon in a public place, was
fined a total of £320 and told to pay £128 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

He was banned from driving for 15 months, which can be cut with completion of a drink-driver
rehabilitation course.