A DRINK driver who tried to blame his actions on an imaginary friend has been disqualified for four years.
Stephen Slark also received a suspended prison sentence
after he was caught over the limit in Hove.
Sussex Police have released a transcript of the arrest.
At about 11.30pm on Saturday, December 23, plain clothed police spotted a man – later identified as Slark, 40, a scrap metal dealer, of Butts Road, Southwick – walking towards a commercial van in Goldstone Villas, close to Hove Station.
He was then seen to drive the vehicle a short distance before he stopped by the entrance to the Post Office, where he got out and met a woman. The transcript said:
Slark: “I haven’t been driving, it was my mate.”
Police: “What’s your mate’s name?”
Slark: “John, he ran down there and jumped over the fence” [pointing to a fence at least 12ft high].
Police: “Look, we saw you get into the van and drive it from the railway station.”
Slark: “I wasn’t driving, you can ask her” [pointing to his female friend]. It was John who was driving my van, wasn’t it?”
Woman: “Who’s John?”
Slark: “John Smith.”
Woman: “I’ve never heard of him.”
At Lewes Crown Court on April 20, Slark was sentenced to three months, suspended for 18 months, and disqualified from driving.
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