Drunk in charge of a horse and cart

A FARMER who downed 20 pints of Guinness in one boozy afternoon pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a horse and cart.

Adrian Whitaker, who had also quaffed five vodka alcopops, was reported to police after holding up a stream of traffic on a narrow country lane near Northaw.

And when the 36-year-old was finally pulled over at around 7pm on August 2, he FELL off the cart and landed at the feet of a police officer.

Whitaker, formerly of Orchard Way, Knebworth, appeared at Central Herts Magistrates' Court on Tuesday last week.

Prosecutor Roseanne Smith told the court: "A member of the public contacted the police and stated they had seen a drunk male in charge of a horse and cart causing traffic problems on Judge's Hill.

"An officer carried out an area search and found him sitting on the carriage being pulled by a horse. The defendant fell down from the carriage and spoke to the officer. He smelled strongly of alcohol and his speech was slurred."

Mrs Smith said Whitaker, who now lives with his parents at Brook Farm, Bayford, had already been banned from driving for 36 months in February for drink driving.

Describing the incident as "an unusual case", defence lawyer Andrew Campbell said Whitaker had learned his lesson and had been very frank with police about the amount he had drunk.

He also stressed that driving a horse and cart while drunk was nowhere near as dangerous as driving a car. Mr Campbell added that his client had a problem with drink and had recently split from his partner.

Whitaker himself told the court: "I'm ever so sorry for the grief I've caused everyone."

He is due to be sentenced on September 1.