Drink-driver Phelim O’Hara banned from the roads for 18 months after cow struck on New Forest animal accident black spot route the B3078 Roger Penny Way, near Bramshaw

A TOTTON drink-driver was banned from the roads for 15 months after a cow was struck on a notorious New Forest livestock accident black spot route.

Phelim O’Hara (27), of Wetherby Court, had been at the wheel of a vehicle when it hit the animal on the B3078 Roger Penny Way, by Telegraph Hill, near Bramshaw, shortly before 9pm on Monday, 16th September.

Police and partners from Forestry England, the NPA and New Forest Roads Awareness had been on Bramble Hill Walk that morning as part of Operation Mountie, a multi-agency crackdown on speeding and animal accidents.

O’Hara pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

As well as the disqualification, the Bench fined him £600 and ordered him to pay another £325 in court charges.

The sentencing was welcomed by police staff investigator Annabel Gibbons, who hoped it sent a clear message to those thinking of drink-driving.

“This ban of 15 months will give him plenty of time to consider what he did that evening and ensure the same doesn’t happen again,” she said.

“I would like to acknowledge that O’Hara was quick to admit what he had done and expresses that he was very sorry for what happened.

“He admitted that he had drunk alcohol during the evening, but stated that he felt he was ‘okay to drive’ when he drove his vehicle later the same evening.

“Clearly this was not the case, and a New Forest animal was sadly made to suffer as a result of his poor judgement that night.”

The investigator sought to remind people that alcohol can take a considerable amount of time to leave their systems.

She added: “Feeling ‘okay’ to drive will not be an acceptable defence in a court of law, as has again been proven here.”

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