Blind drink-driver managed 150 miles up M6 before police stopped him

Anthony Hall, 49, had taken his partner's vehicle without her knowledge before departing from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, despite being registered blind, unlicensed and uninsured.

He was also over the legal drink-drive limit as he made his way towards Cumbria.

A court was told it was "miraculous" that nobody was killed or seriously injured during the two-hour motorway journey.

Officers spotted Hall at the wheel of the Vauxhall Meriva near Junction 44 at Carlisle at approximately 1.45am on 29th June.

Police watched as the vehicle weaved between lanes one and two before drifting towards the hard shoulder.

Upon pulling him over, Hall smelled of alcohol and confessed he had been drinking wine.

He then astonished officers by disclosing he had been blind for two years — and had navigated the motorway by tracking HGV lights.

Hall appeared before Rickergate Magistrates' Court in Carlisle, where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drink-driving, driving without a licence or insurance, and taking his partner's car without her consent.

Prosecutor Suresh Basra said: "Mr Hall was a man of good character and he has no previous convictions.

"He is registered blind and does not have a driving licence, so he is not allowed to drive.

"But he took the vehicle in question from his partner without her knowing.

"He drove 150 miles from Huddersfield."

Officers had been requested to look out for the vehicle after it was reported missing.

Mr Basra said: "He was observed [in the car] drifting into the motorway's hard shoulder from lanes one and two.

"The vehicle was stopped and Mr Hall was spoken to.

"He smelled of alcohol on his breath and he said he'd been drinking wine.

"The defendant also said he'd gone blind two years ago and was asked how he had managed to drive.

"He said that by following HGV lights he managed to drive that distance."

A breathalyser test revealed Hall, of Lees Close, Huddersfield, had 46mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The legal limit is 35mcg.

Mr Basra characterised the behaviour as "prolonged and persistent".

He further stated: "There was a decision to ignore the rules of the road and risk danger to others.

"There was also the consumption of alcohol and although there was no injury, it's miraculous that Mr Hall has been so fortunate and that there was no injury or damage."

Defence solicitor Adele Graham argued there were "a lot of circumstances" magistrates would need to take into account prior to sentencing, including Hall's personal life and background.

She requested that a pre-sentence report be compiled.

Magistrates consented and adjourned sentencing until September 8.

Hall was issued with an interim driving ban in the meantime.