Ex-councillor banned from driving after Salisbury crash

Alan Bayliss, 59, of Broadlands Close, admitted driving a Ford Transit van in Braemar Rise in Salisbury on August 1, while over the legal alcohol limit.

Prosecutor Ms Rhian Smith told the court that police were alerted after a vehicle had crashed into a parked car and there was a suspicion that the driver was intoxicated.

A roadside breath test was failed by Bayliss and measured 96 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Bayliss had also damaged the front passenger tyre.

Defence counsel Ray Tan explained that Bayliss had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and made a "full and frank admission to police".

He explained that the vehicle was empty at the time and that Bayliss had been drinking alcohol and was going out to buy some more.

Mr Tan told the court that Bayliss had been teetotal for nine years until he bought his home and estate agents gifted him a bottle of wine, which he said had triggered a return to alcoholism.

He explained that Bayliss was already taking steps to tackle his alcoholism.

After a short recess, Chair Michael Swanton JP said: "It is a high reading. It is crash-related - you had an accident.

"There could have been somebody in that vehicle.

"You chose to consume alcohol and then go to get some more in your van."

Bayliss was disqualified from driving for 27 months, given a fine of £365 and told to complete a rehabilitation course.

Alan Bayliss stepped down from both Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council with immediate effect on Tuesday, September 1, for personal reasons.

He represented Salisbury Milford on both authorities.

His resignation triggered by-elections for the Wiltshire Council Salisbury Milford division and Salisbury City Council’s Milford ward, which were held on Thursday, October 15.