Passenger refused on Newcastle Airport flight because he was too drunk told police 'I'm drink-driving again'
Nuno Martins, who already has a past conviction from 2021 for driving with excess alcohol, was stopped by police in the car park of Newcastle International Airport
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA passenger who had been refused onto a flight because he was too drunk tried to drive away from the airport.
Nuno Martins was stopped by police behind the wheel of his Ford Focus in the car park at Newcastle International Airport after they received a report from a concerned members of staff. The 46-year-old, who has a past conviction for drink-driving from 2021, was arrested when he failed a roadside breath test.
A court heard that, as he was being detained, Martins confessed: "I'm drink-driving, again.". The motor menace, of Eden Drive, in Sedgefield, County Durham, has now been banned from the roads for 50 months after he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court was told that Martins had tried to board a flight to Portugal on September 2 this year but had been refused onboard because he was drunk. Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said police attended the airport at 6.15pm having been informed that Martins had got into a car.
Mrs Beck added: "The officers saw a Ford Focus. The engine was running and only the defendant occupied the vehicle. He was sitting in the driver's seat. Police turned the engine off and removed the key.
"They spoke to the defendant, who showed signs of intoxication. A roadside breath test procedure was conducted . It was positive and he was cautioned and arrested. Upon arrest, the defendant replied "I'm drink-driving, again"."
The court was told that a test later revealed that Martins had 110mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, when the legal limit is just 35mcg. When interviewed by the Probation Service for them to prepare a report, Martins claimed to have not drank alcohol on the day in question but had done so the night before.
As well as the ban, Martins was given a 12-month community order, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge,
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