The previous assistant Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands has been banned from the roads after drink driving and crashing his automobile.
Ashley Bertie mentioned he consumed 4 pints of cider while watching an England match.
He induced vital injury to his Renault Megane after hitting the kerb and shedding management on Warren Highway in Oscott.
The 30-year-old remained on the scene and police might odor booze on him. It later transpired he was greater than twice over the alcohol driving restrict.
Former assistant West Midlands assistant police and crime commissioner Ashley Bertie mentioned he consumed 4 pints of cider while watching an England match
Mr Ashley (proper), pictured alongside West Midlands police and crime commissioner David Jamieson, has now acquired an 18-month driving ban
On the best way to the police station he questioned officers about what influence the offence would have on his employment and what the utmost sentence was, Birmingham Magistrates’ Courtroom heard.
Bertie, of Shelley Drive, in Stockland Inexperienced, is at the moment searching for work and can now wrestle to pay his council tax, his lawyer mentioned.
On Thursday he pleaded responsible to drink driving. He was banned from the roads for 18 months and fined £120. Afterwards, Bertie addressed the magistrates saying he was ‘deeply embarrassed’ and apologised for taking over their time.
The crash occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday, November 22 just a few hours after England’s goalless draw with the USA within the World Cup group stage the earlier night. Prosecutor Ekene Pruce mentioned: ‘Police acquired experiences of a RTC (highway visitors collision) and the highway blocked by a Renault Megane.
‘This automobile had injury to the entrance close to aspect of the wheel, injury to the wheel arch and entrance close to aspect wheel had been punctured. The hearth service was on the scene and lower the battery from the car to make it protected.
‘Police have been knowledgeable by one of many fireplace officers the motive force of the car was now sat in his pal’s automobile on the opposite aspect of the highway.’
She informed the court docket that Bertie recognized himself to the officers. Ms Pruce added: ‘Mr Bertie confirmed he had been driving, had collided with the kerb which induced him to spin and induced injury to his automobile.
‘The officer seen a powerful odor of alcohol coming from Mr Bertie. His eyes have been glazed and bloodshot. He was unsteady on his toes and had slurred speech. On account of this he was arrested.
‘While being taken to custody he requested the officer what the utmost sentence could be for driving underneath the affect. He continued to ask questions concerning the influence of the cost on his employment standing.’
She confirmed Bertie produced a studying of 75 mircograms of alcohol per millilitres of breath – in opposition to the authorized restrict of 35 – and that in interview he mentioned he had ‘4 pints of cider whereas watching the England sport’.
Bertie had served as Assistant PCC between 2016 and 2020 underneath then-commissioner David Jamieson.
He additionally bid to succeed the late Labour MP for Erdington Jack Dromey, however misplaced out to Paulette Hamilton.
His solicitor, who would solely give his identify as Mr Peterson, handed quite a few references as much as the bench.
He mentioned: ‘They paint a really clear image. One can summarise these by saying it is very unhappy that somebody with such huge potential, who has already served his group magnificently, finds himself concerned on this.’
Mr Peterson confirmed Bertie had resigned from his final employment, had ‘restricted’ financial savings however was able to pay a high quality and could be in search of to seek out work within the new 12 months.
He informed the court docket his shopper would ‘wrestle’ to pay his payments, together with his council tax amongst different ‘monetary commitments’ and added: ‘It is going to be tough. It is going to be tough additionally for his household who just like the defendant is deeply ashamed of what has occurred.’
Bertie was additionally ordered to pay £135 court docket prices in addition to £48 sufferer surcharge. He accepted the provide of a drink driving course to cut back the size of his ban.
The Chair of the Bench mentioned: ‘Now we have learn all of the letters which do make good studying of your good character. However I am afraid with character comes accountability. Drink driving may cause havoc in folks’s lives.’
Earlier than leaving the court docket Bertie addressed the magistrates and mentioned: ‘I recognise the error I made. It’s unforgiveable. I’m deeply embarrassed and ashamed of my actions. I completely perceive the severity of my actions.
‘It is lucky no-one was harm in consequence. I wish to say thankyou to the magistrates for his or her time and apologise. I perceive you’re underneath vital pressure and sources are tight. I am sorry for including to your workload and burden this morning.’
