
A man who had previously been disqualified for drink driving has been jailed for further offences including drink driving at the British Grand Prix earlier this year.
Ben Mooney, 31, from Coventry, 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.
He had previously pleaded guilty to all offences in a hearing at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on 8th July 2024 after being arrested by police at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone earlier in the month.
Shortly after 11pm on Saturday 6th July, police officers on duty at the main stage area of the event spotted a green and yellow John Deere work utility vehicle being driven at excessive speed close to concert goers.
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 blew 43 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mg.
The man had been working at the Formula One race for a third-party food vendor.
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.
Mooney pleaded guilty in his hearing to all three offences as well as a further charge of using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance.
Arresting officer PC Scott Kimberley of the Roads Policing Team for Northamptonshire Police 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.”