The boss of an independent garage appeared before magistrates charged with drink-driving while on a “road-test” of a customer’s Audi A5 coupe.
Southampton magistrates were told he’d decided to make use of the automotive to drive home from work, but stopped off to satisfy friends at a bar in the town for some time.
Jhalman Rai, owner of J S Autos in Southampton, was spotted by police driving erratically in August 2023, and he was unsteady on his feet once they stopped him and asked him to exit the automotive.
PC Russell Tribe told the court: “I discovered it highly unlikely for the client to permit their vehicle to be road tested at the moment of night while drunk.“
Police also charged Rai with theft, as the client, Albi Asimi, had not agreed for Jai to make use of the automotive for private use.
Defending Rai, Nick Robinson said: “The test drive took place the day before was as a consequence of collect the automotive. was genuinely baffled on the suggestion that he was acting outside of the consent of the owner.
“ was doing what he was doing because as this was a essential option to make certain the leak had stopped. This was a real road test.
“No disrespect to the Audi automotive, but it surely’s not prefer it was a Rolls-Royce that he was taking out for a pleasure spin.”
Rai pleaded guilty to drink-driving but was cleared of theft. He’s been disqualified from driving for 40 months and has been ordered to pay court fees totalling £785.
This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com
