Blind man sentenced after driving 240km intoxicated without a license

Anthony Hall, a 50-year-old legally blind man, was sentenced after driving approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) on the M6 motorway while intoxicated and without a driver's license. Hall, who lost his sight roughly two years ago, told police he navigated the journey from Huddersfield toward Scotland by following the lights of a heavy goods vehicle (HGV).

Police intercepted the Vauxhall Meriva near Carlisle after reports of the vehicle swerving between lanes and entering the hard shoulder. Upon being stopped, Hall admitted to consuming four bottles of wine with his partner. Breathalyzer tests showed him to be over the legal limit for England and Wales.

In court, Hall admitted to dangerous driving, driving under the influence, driving without a license or insurance, and taking a vehicle without the owner's consent. Magistrate Tracey McErlain-Burns handed down a 36-week prison sentence, which has been suspended for 18 months. Hall was also ordered to undergo rehabilitation activities, abstain from alcohol for 90 days, and had his driving privileges revoked for 12 months.