Louth man ordered to ‘stop behaving like a spoilt child’ by judge and questioned whether he arrived drunk to court
A defendant was ordered to ‘stop behaving like a spoilt child’ when he appeared in court.
District Judge Peter Veits also found himself having to repeatedly ask Craig Chappell whether he had been drinking prior to arriving at Boston Magistrates Court yesterday (Wednesday, January 24).
The 37-year-old – who was charged with driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance – was warned he could be sent to the cells if he didn’t stop talking over proceedings during the hearing.
“The incident occurred on Sunday, September 24 at 1.45am at Newmarket in Louth,” prosecutor Shelley Wilson said.
“A blue Ford Fiesta was spotted driving at excess speed.
“The car came to a stop and police pulled up next to it to speak to the driver. It was Mr Chappell, who was instantly recognised by police. The defendant was the only person in the car.
“They attempted to speak to the defendant who wound the window down and said ‘oh, for f**k’s sake’.”
The court was told the defendant then drove off.
It was at this point of the hearing – with Chappell talking over the prosecution’s account – that Judge Veits ordered the defendant to ‘stop behaving like a spoilt child’.
The prosecution added that after checking the national database, police discovered Chappell was a disqualified driver and he was later arrested.
In police interview he denied being the driver and told officers he couldn’t ‘be arsed with their bullsh*t f**king questions’.
Again, Chappell began to speak over the court hearing, with Judge Veits interjecting: “Do you want to spend the day in the cells?”
“Not really,” Chappell – who is currently serving his second drink-driving ban – responded.
Chappell’s partner had explained to police the defendant had taken her car to look for her teenage son who had left the home earlier that evening, the court was told.
Defending himself, Chappell, of Wintringham Way, Louth, said: “I didn’t get stopped driving the car.”
He was fidgeting while stood and Judge Veits again found himself addressing the defendant.
“Is this normal behaviour? Do you have a drink problem?” he asked.
“Possibly,” added Chappell, who receives universal credit, denying he had consumed alcohol before the hearing.
Returning to proceedings, Judge Veits added: “The evidence is clear it was you driving. It’s overwhelming.
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“There was no excuse for you to be driving. You were banned.”
Chappell was handed a two-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, and given a one-year driving ban to run alongside his current disqualification.
He must also pay a £154 victim surcharge and £85 costs.