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Motorcyclist Trevor Elkin lost an arm and suffered five broken ribs in a catastrophic A500 crash – when he was more than twice the drink-drive limit.
The 59-year-old suffered the life-changing injury after smashing his Honda motorbike into the central reservation in the middle of the night.
Now, just over four months since the crash, Elkin has been hit with a court bill of almost £800 and a driving ban following his drink-driving conviction.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the August 18 incident was witnessed by a lorry driver.
Prosecutor Liz Rider said: “At 1.34am Mr Elkin was riding a red Honda along the A500 in the fast lane. In the inside lane was an HGV.
“The HGV driver was aware of a motorbike approaching. He saw the bike start to wobble, for no apparent reason, before colliding with the central reservation. Mr Elkin received serious injuries. He was the only person inured and his bike was the only vehicle damaged.”
A hospital blood test revealed Elkin’s alcohol level was 207 micrograms in 100 millilitres of blood – the legal limit is 80.
Elkin, of Hanbury Close, Crewe, told police he had been drinking on a night out. He admitted drink-driving.
Andrew Bennett, mitigating, said: “This is a very sad situation. I was with Mr Elkin when he was interviewed and I asked police if it was in the interests of justice to proceed with this prosecution.
“Mr Elkin was the only person involved. As a result of this serious misjudgement he has suffered considerable life-changing injuries.
“He had spent 38 years working for Royal Mail. He has no previous convictions. If ever there was a case for taking a liberal view of the sentencing guidelines, this is it.”
Magistrates fined Elkin £600 and ordered him to pay £135 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge. He was disqualified from driving for 24 months.
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