Eddie McAtominey - pisshead Labour councillor.

Came across this one in a Google search, note the fawning tone used by the local arse rag "The Shields Gazette".

A VETERAN councillor whose life has taken a downward spiral since he was diagnosed with prostate cancer has admitted failing to provide a breath test after a car accident.

Veteran!? WTF the bloke works for the council he is not a fucking Spitfire pilot.

This is the second guilty plea Hebburn South ward councillor Eddie McAtominey has made before magistrates in a month.

On November 11, he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates' Court after being caught more than twice over the drink-drive limit the day before in Solway Road, Hebburn, and was banned from the roads for 21 months.

Yesterday, during an appearance at Peterlee magistrates relating to his arrest in May after an accident in Victoria Road West, Hebburn, he admitted failing to provide a breath test at South Shields police station.

The 62-year-old, of Sullivan Walk, Hebburn, initially pleaded not guilty to the offence, and a trial was due to take place in the new year, but he changed his plea.

So not once but twice he is picked up "tired and emotional" behind the wheel of a car. 

Magistrates heard how the councillor turned to drink after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Terence Carney, defending, said: "This is one of the saddest cases I have personally had to deal with in my career.

"The sad truth is that over the last two years Mr McAtominey's life has taken a downward spiral. 

"He was diagnosed as having prostate cancer, and the prospect of that diagnosis had a serious impact on him.

"But he has gone on and shouldered this burden, and just got on with his public duty.

"In a bid to come to terms with that reality and the stress he has turned to alcohol. 

"He apologises and admits this was his mistake, and it was completely his fault.

Well thats allright then, give him a cup of coffee to sober up and send him on his merry way. What a total fucking cunt, does he not realise the seriousness of his actions. 

Having seen a death caused by a drunk driver my view is that they should lose their license for good, fuck the reform bullshit. Driving a car is a privilage and if like Eddie here you like to hit the sauce then you lose that privilage.

For him to do it twice just shows that he is unable to control his boozing and he gives not a flying fuck about the consequences of his drunken antics.

"There have been people who have taken the opportunity to sneer at the fall from grace of this man, who had such a high public profile."

Magistrates heard McAtominey has served the community of Hebburn as a local councillor for the past 36 years, and is one of the longest-serving members of South Tyneside Council.

He was lead member of jobs, enterprise and regeneration and South Tyneside's representative on Northumbria Police Authority until he resigned from the positions earlier this month.

Well as for his legal bod to claim people are sneering is wankspeak. People are annoyed, drunk driving is wrong, drunk driving twice is showing a contempt for both the law and society.

Chairman of the Bench Martin Palmer said: "You are already banned for 21 months from November 11, we are going to ban you from driving for 12 months which will run concurrent."

In addition to the fine, McAtominey was also fined £150 and ordered to pay costs of £200 and a £15 victim surcharge.

A spokesman for Labour North, the regional office of the Labour Party, said: "Coun McAtominey remains suspended from the Labour Party pending the outcome of our own investigations."

So there you go, no jail time a slap across the knuckles and a wee small fine. 

Instead he should have faced:

	A THREE-YEAR BAN from DRIVING.
	Up to 14 YEARS in PRISON. (usually 3 months)
	An UNLIMITED FINE, Typically £5000.
	FORCED to sit an Extended Driving TEST.

The law in this case is an ass. 

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