Jailed disqualified drink-driver handed extended driving ban

A disqualified drink-driver has been jailed and issued with an extended driving ban after being caught behind the wheel at this year’s Formula 1 British Grand Prix event at Silverstone.

Shortly after 11pm on Saturday, July 6, police officers on duty at the racing circuit’s main stage spotted a green and yellow John Deere work utility vehicle being driven at excessive speed close to concert goers.

When the driver – Ben Mooney – was stopped and spoken to, officers suspected the 31-year-old had been drinking and he was arrested on suspicion of driving while over the prescribed limit of alcohol after failing a roadside breath test.

Mooney, who was working at the prestigious motorsport event for a third-party food vendor, went on to be charged after he blew 43 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

However, further checks on the police national computer also flagged that he was also disqualified from driving until the end of February 2025, and he was also charged with driving while disqualified.

During a routine search in police custody, Mooney was also found to have a small bag of white powder, which tested positive for cocaine, in his possession and he was further arrested and charged for possession of a controlled Class A drug.

At Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 8, Mooney of Coventry Road, Coventry, pleaded guilty to all three offences as well as using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance.

Mooney was sentenced to a total of 18 weeks in prison and was handed an extended driving disqualification of four years and nine months. In addition to this, he was also ordered to pay £154 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

Arresting officer PC Scott Kimberley of the Roads Policing Team said: “Driving at excess speeds near large crowds is dangerous and reckless however, knowingly doing this when you do not have a licence and are over the prescribed alcohol level to drive is just pure stupidity.

“We see the devastating effects of those who have a total disregard for the sanctions imposed by the courts and continue to drive after being disqualified. It is also extremely disappointing to see that there are still people who choose to use our roads illegally and irresponsibly.

“Ben Mooney had already had his driving licence revoked as the standard of his driving had put himself and others at risk. Driving this vehicle at excessive speed near a large crowd of people while under the influence of alcohol not only showed a real contempt for the authorities but was also selfish, dangerous, and irresponsible.

“Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads remains a priority for Northamptonshire Police and our partners at the Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance, and I’m pleased the courts have dealt with this driver robustly.”

Tragically in 2023, after being involved in a road collision in Northamptonshire, 29 people never returned home safely to their loved ones, and 271 required urgent medical assistance for serious and life-changing injuries.